Date: 24.02.2024 - 02.06.2024
Temporary exhibition
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Mounted knights ride through Mechelen's Grote Markt in a colourful procession. It is 1491, and a special chapter of the Order of the Golden Fleece has descended on the city on the Dyle. Around each knight's neck, a chain bearing a small golden ram's fleece glitters in the spring sunshine. It is the emblem of an order of chivalry that still captures the imagination today. It represents not just power, but also elitism, religion and political loyalty.
Knights of the Golden Fleece: a Brilliant Myth Unravelled brings the gathering of knights in 1491 back to life, one of the largest and most important celebrations in the history of Mechelen. Visitors encounter this famous Burgundian order through a unique series of 15th-century heraldic panels, made especially for the meeting in Mechelen. It was the first time that the 29 panels from the collection of St Rumbold's Cathedral could be seen at such close quarters after their restoration.
Programme
Catalogue
Across four essays, this book unravels the fascinating history of the House of Burgundy, the gathering in Mechelen and the discoveries made during the restoration of the 500-year-old heraldic panels. Published by Lannoo, the book has unfortunately sold out.
Travelling Back in Time With Bart Van Loo
To open the exhibition, master storyteller Bart Van Loo, author of The Burgundians and In the Footsteps of the Burgundians, travels back once again to 1491. Through a sound and light installation, he brings the gathering of knights vividly back to life.
Construct Europe
The exhibition coincides with Belgium's Presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June 2024, and is part of the city festival Construct Europe 2024.
Family Trail and Museum Camp
A playful trail guides children through the exhibition and helps them design their own heraldic panel step-by-step. Those who complete every activity are rewarded with a bold knight-themed temporary tattoo.
Contemporary Art
The exhibition features a large number of works by contemporary artists, selected by guest curator Magali Elali. Their work examines the stereotypes associated with the figure of the knight.
Celebratory Closing Weekend
On the final weekend, visitors are invited to immerse themselves fully in the world of knights. A photo booth with chivalric accessories allows everyone to take home a unique souvenir of Knights of the Golden Fleece.
Schools
In the museum class Knights Unravelled, pupils in the fourth fifth and sixth years of primary school take part in a playful, interactive and cross-curricular visit. The session ends with a creative activity in the new museum workshop.
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