Concise.pdf - Brugge Plus

Cultural impact
The cultural impact of BRUGGE 2002 can be situated on several levels.
Infrastructure
The questioning of stakeholders reveals that the achievements on an infrastructural
level are seen as the aspect with the greatest and most lasting cultural impact of
BRUGGE 2002.
Above all, reference is made to the restorations of monuments and new buildings
such as the Concertgebouw, the Ito pavilion, the Magdalenazaal, the Groenplaats, the
Coupure bridge, the Kanaaleiland, etc. Many of these infrastructure projects also act
as clear indicators by introducing contemporary elements.
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BRUGGE 2002
Programming
In terms of programming we note a general overall satisfaction among stakeholders.
The exhibitions are a particularly strong point. The performing arts are also seen as
a strong element of the programme.
Some pointed out that there was little if any contemporary visual art in BRUGGE 2002.
There were in fact several events based on modern art, but in the final analysis this
programming hardly ever figures in people’s image of BRUGGE 2002. Many stakeholders
also feel the programming for young people was weak.
This assessment is confirmed by the results of the events survey. This revealed that
the content of most events investigated lived up to expectations.
Organisation and co-operation
The running of BRUGGE 2002 vzw was unanimously experienced by the privileged
witnesses as extremely positive, professional and effective. The co-operation between
BRUGGE 2002 and the various partners from the cultural and tourist sector in Bruges
and beyond, the City of Bruges and the sponsors was felt to be very good.
According to the privileged witnesses, one of the most important achievements of
BRUGGE 2002 lies precisely within this co-operation, which led to a significant
improvement in communication and consultation between the various (local) players.
Public impact
The public impact can be said to be large, as is evident from various surveys:
■ 6% of Belgian and foreign residential tourists and 8% of Belgian and foreign day
tourists came to Bruges in the period July-November 2002 specifically because of
the activities of BRUGGE 2002. For 15% of residential tourists and 15% of day
tourists the reason for visiting Bruges was related to BRUGGE 2002 but not exclusively.
Other reasons also played a part. This means that in total, 21% of residential
tourists (which equates to almost 120,000 residential tourists) and 23% of day
tourists (around 700,000 people, not including residents of Bruges and people
from the immediate surrounding areas) were influenced by the activities of
BRUGGE 2002 when choosing Bruges as a destination.
■ 9% of all Belgians (including residents of Bruges and people from the immediate
surrounding areas) visited events, activities or exhibitions organised as part of
BRUGGE 2002. This means that around 920,000 Belgians took part to a lesser or
greater degree in the cultural year.
Image
According to the stakeholders, thanks to BRUGGE 2002 the image of Bruges was
spread about and refreshed. BRUGGE 2002 drew attention to several aspects of
Bruges, giving many people a broader perspective of the city. It is suspected that this