Georges Eekhoud: the Belgian Maxim Gorki

The Belgian author Georges Eekhoud (1854 – 1927), who lived in Flanders but wrote in French, was one of the first authors who wrote positively about homosexuality. Eekhoud’s personal library is a key collection in the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library.

Forgotten chansons de geste?

New acquisition of a rare 16th-century romance of chivalry

Recently a rare copy of a Dutch epic poem (chanson de geste) printed in 1576 in Antwerp turned up at an auction. With the help of the Patronage Fund for Books and Literature the Heritage Library Hendrik Conscience acquired this copy of the romance of Roncevale.

Travel grant to Antwerp awarded to two international researchers

Earlier this year, the Plantin-Moretus Museum and the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library launched a fellowship programme for research into the history of the early printed book (15th-18th century) in Antwerp. Today this scholarship is granted for the first time.

Out and about in Antwerp

There is always something to discover in a diverse city like Antwerp. Maybe you think that you know all of the secrets of Antwerp or maybe you are a newcomer. It doesn’t matter how well you know Antwerp because we will let you discover a different side of the city’s many tourist attractions and will take you on a tour of the Eilandje, the new trendy district. So Antwerp continues to be an adventure for everyone!

A bird’s eye view of Antwerp

Every district of Antwerp consists of a wonderful mix of historical buildings and modern architecture. To see all of this beauty you actually would need wings. But fortunately there are several places, both high up in the air and on the ground, to see as much as possible of the city.

Picnic spots in Antwerp

On sunny days it is always fun to put together a picnic basket and eat outside. But it is not always that easy to find a quiet place for a picnic in the city. Fortunately we have a list of some of the nicest picnic sports in Antwerp. And we even have a solution for rainy days!

Verhoeven newspapers digitized

The Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library has a large collection of newspapers. A highlight is the collection of early newspapers published by the Antwerp engraver and printer Abraham Verhoeven (1575-1652). All of Verhoeven’s publications in our collection have been digitized.

Fellowship Programme

Early printed books in Antwerp

The Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus (Antwerp) are pleased to launch a new call for applications for our fellowship programme. We will award two travel grants for research into the history of the early printed book (15th-18th century) in Antwerp, with the gracious support of the Thierry and Frédéric Nottebohm Grant of the Nottebohm Family Foundation.

Two international scientists get travel grant to Antwerp (2024-2025)

For the fifth time already, two foreign researchers will receive a travel grant to come to Antwerp for their research on the history of the printed book.

Become a patron with your business

Would you like to support our library with your business? You can do so through the Patronage Fund for Books and Literature. Your general or project-related donation will demonstrate your social engagement and enable us to purchase and preserve paper heritage.