Hof der dingen - Matchboxes of Flip Kowlier

Come on and let us sing the praises of West-Flemish musical artists! From Jacques Brel’s WestFlemish roots (his dad Romain was born in Zandvoorde) to Willem Vermandere, whose heart belongs to Steenkerke and who recently decided to retire: these artists were an inspiration the many others. 

The same can be said for Arthur Blanckaert from Veurne – known by his stage name Will Tura – who etched himself into the collective memory of every Flemish person. If you listen carefully, you might even hear him beatboxing. He’s nicknamed The Emperor of the Flemish Song and has released hundreds of singles that cover a wide array of styles. He even dipped his toes into rapping, and if you listen carefully, you might even hear him beatboxing and rapping Mo Vint Toch wandering these halls. 

And let’s not forget the younger generation, with artists like Het Zesde Metaal, Hof van Commerce, Brihang, and Flip Kowlier, who’ve proudly placed the West Flemish dialect at the very top of the musical scene. 

Our rich musical heritage is symbolised in this exposition by the matchboxes Flip Kowlier uses to promote his second solo album In de Fik (On Fire) and a cassette featuring Will Tura’s greatest hits. 

Do you want to experience the true power of West-Flemish music? Pop by our immersive room next door and let loose! There, you can dance to the beats of Het Beste van ’t Westen. 

In 2022, Het Beste van ’t Westen lit up the stage at Folkfestival Dranouter, bringing together some of the region’s top musical talents: Flip Kowlier, Brihang, Wannes Cappelle, Wim Opbrouck, and Wim Willaert (from De Dolfijntjes). They set the crowd on fire with their own twist on classic tracks, proving that West-Flemish music has serious star power. 

Can you make the disco ball in our immersive room drop? The catch is: the ball only drops if you wow the audience and dance your heart out!