Nora, Lucia, Sylvia and Molly:  James’ four women

Sunday 15 June  2025, 14:00, KAAP

Just about everywhere in the world, Bloomsday is celebrated on 16 June. And for the past three years, also in Ostend. O., the Belgian city where writer James Joyce and his family enjoyed a long holiday in the blissful summer of 1926. This year, we’re cheating slightly: Bloomsday will be celebrated on Sunday 15 June, at 14.00.

Geert Lernout, renowned Joyceologist, will introduce the event and violinist Ann-Sofie Vande Ginste will be performing musical intermezzi, based on Irish folk music. Steven Van Ammel, the well-known bookseller, will delve into the life of Sylvia Beach, the legendary publisher of Ulysses in Paris. And Viviane De Muynck, the grande dame of film and theatre, will perform an excerpt from Molly Bloom’s monologue, especially for us. We will then raise a glass to James Joyce.

 
The event is free, in Dutch and English (Viviane De Muynck) and reservation is essential – seats are limited. 

The (non-obligatory) dress code is ‘James and Nora Joyce in Ostend’. For James, that’s a straw hat, blazer, white shirt and walking stick. For the Nora’s among us: quirky and summery. 

Organisation: Portiers van de Oceaan, KAAP and Exil. 

With the kind support of the City of Ostend and the Embassy of Ireland in Belgium.