De wijk Oud-Antwerpen in de wereldtentoonstelling van 1894 / in beeld gebracht door Frans van Kuyck; beschreven door Max Rooses 1894

This is a page from “The Old Antwerp district at the 1894 World’s Fair,” described by Max Rooses. It provides an account of a historical re-enactment and gives us insight into the cultural values and historical narratives that were being celebrated and disseminated at the time. The text evokes a romanticized vision of the past. It details a tournament held in the Old Antwerp district, part of the World’s Fair. These fairs were often used to construct national identity. Here, the focus on ‘Old Antwerp’ suggests an effort to root Belgian identity in a specific regional history. The descriptions of the tournament, the roles of the prince, knights, and noblewomen, serve to reinforce a hierarchical social order. The tournament serves as a spectacle of power, with the prince’s victory celebrated by the people. The references to attire and customs of the time serve to create a sense of historical authenticity. How might these representations resonate with different groups within Belgian society?