Smallest Big Town by Nils Geylen

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This is the ‘New Exchange’ in my home town, Antwerp. It is the nineteenth century reconstruction of a 1531 original, which in turn was a successor to the ‘Old’ Exchange, also a replacement for yet another, earlier building. A confusing story, but it paints the picture of Antwerp quite nicely.

If Reno is the biggest little city in the world, then Antwerp no doubt is the smallest big town on earth. These days, over a hundred languages are spoken in Antwerp, and people from all over the world come and visit or live here. The museums are packed with priceless art and the cafés are brimming with the bold ideas of the young and trendy. Fashion, music and design can be found everywhere, but any corner shop may have a history dating back centuries. Yet people still know their neighbours here, and you could walk from one part of town to the other quite easily. Day or night. I love that. And I love going out and taking pictures of it.

Thank you, Joe. I’m happy and honoured with the opportunity to show you this. Happy blogging anniversary.