Bloomsday in Oostende 2024 was a huge success! Thank you to all our speakers, supporters and attendees. Scroll through the photos for a flavour of the day. Pictures by Jef Van Eynde and Dirk Beirens. See you next year!
Joyce and the Sirens
We’re thrilled to welcome esteemed Joyce scholar Geert Lernout back to the stage for Bloomsday in Oostende 2024 on Sunday 16 June. Anyone who joined us last year will remember his wonderful talk entitled ‘James Joyce and the Sea’. Thanks to photographer Jef Van Eynde @vaneyndejef we have this wonderful souvenir. We can’t wait to hear his contribution to this year’s proceedings. Not only is he Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Antwerp, the former president of the International James Joyce Foundation and founder of the James Joyce Centre in Antwerp, but he is also an honorary Portier van de Oceaan. NB. the event in KAAP is now fully booked. Bloomsday in Oostende is supported by the Irish Embassy in Belgium, Stad Oostende, KAAP, Exil vzw and Oostende Leest.
The interwar years in Oostende – Kurt Van Eeghem
What was Oostende like in the interwar years? What did James Joyce see and do in the ‘Queen of Seaside resorts’ during the summer of 1926? Music and entertainment abounded. Kurt Van Eeghem takes a deep dive into the summer of 1926 for Bloomsday in Oostende 2024 on Sunday 16 June. We’re delighted to welcome the author of Oostende in de belle époque to our annual celebration of Joyce, Leopold Bloom, Ulysses and the city by the sea. EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. ‘Bloomsday in Oostende’ is supported by the Irish Embassy in Brussels, the City how Oostende, Oostende Leest, KAAP and Exit vzw.
A look back to Oostende in 1926
Bloomsday in Oostende 2024
For Bloomsday in Oostende 2024 the renowned city guide Dirk Beirens will shine a spotlight on what the city looked like in 1926, when James Joyce, Nora, Giorgio and Lucia spent their summer holiday on the Belgian coast. How much of the old city can you recognise today? He’ll be bringing the era to life in words and images. Here’s a sneak preview!
Scroll through the photos and take a look at the seafront dining room of Hotel de L’Océan, where the Joyce family stayed.
Bloomsday in Oostende is supported by Stad Oostende, The Irish Embassy in Belgium, KAAP, Exil vzw and Oostende Leest.
NB. THE EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.