Concise.pdf - Brugge Plus

PRESS TRIPS TO BRUGES FOR JOURNALISTS
Four press trips to Bruges were organised, in which a total of 537 foreign journalists
took part.
1. February 23 rd 2002: “O-dag” (“O-day”), the start of the cultural year
2.March 13 th -15 th 2002: Focus on “Jan van Eyck, Early Netherlandish Painting and
Southern Europe”, with attention also given to “HANZE@M4DICI” and
“Cloistered World, Open Books” (preview), architecture projects (including the
Concertgebouw), Attachment+ and the restored Municipal Theatre
3. May 23 rd 2002: HANZE@M4DICI
4.August 14 th 2002: Cloistered World, Open Books
The response to these press trips was very good, as had been expected. Despite the
preponderance of journalists from the tourist press, the cream of the cultural press
from neighbouring countries was also in attendance on each occasion – resulting in
an impressive number of press articles (1,540 as at 27/11/2002) appearing in the
quality foreign press.
The international press planning came up against one problem. The opening of “Jan
van Eyck, Early Netherlandish Painting and Southern Europe” did not coincide with
the opening weekend, and as a result Toerisme Vlaanderen was not able or prepared
to support the opening weekend internationally. The Toerisme Vlaanderen office in
New York could not be convinced of the importance of BRUGGE 2002 for the
American market. Even in spite of the 11 September syndrome, this seemed to us to
be a missed opportunity.
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CONCISE
CONTINUOUS ACTION
In the case of events that would be able to rely on an international response, such as
the start of the cultural year and the opening of the major exhibitions, the international
press was informed by e-mail. More information was sent by post to a selection
of the most important press addresses. A pool of around 475 foreign journalists
received the activity calendar by e-mail every two months.
In addition, foreign journalists came to Bruges throughout the year – mostly on their
own initiative, and some via Toerisme Vlaanderen, which paid for their trip out of its
budget.
FOREIGN PRESS INTEREST SUMMARISED IN FIGURES
In 2002, 958 requests were received from the press. Four hundred and eighty-nine
journalists found their way directly to the BRUGGE 2002 press department and 469
© REINHILDE TERREYN
De Onderneming (as part of “Leeslamp”)
Alibi - Meg Stuart/Damaged Goods