Leisure

Student Organizations

Lessius Hogeschool has its own student unions: HERMES and ABSOC (both in the department of Business Studies) and AYMIE (other departments), that organize a vast array of cultural, sports and student-related activities.

On a regional level, the ESN (Erasmus Student Network) is very active. As the representative of all universities and hogescholen in the area, this European student organization offers a wide range of cultural and weekend activities. They meet every week in a pub called 'Vettige Swa' in Korte Winkelstraat 3, near the Ossenmarkt. All information about ESN can be obtained with the departmental Socrates coordinators.

Leisure

Antwerp is a city of theatre, music and film. Antwerp has an opera with its own orchestra, choir and annual repertoire. Alongside many small theatres, the city also has a municipal theatre company (Het Toneelhuis ), operating from the Bourla Theatre, and a youth theatre (Het Paleis ). 'deSingel' is a centre with an international programme of contemporary art, theatre, dance and exhibitions. They all offer special youth prices.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Flanders and the Royal Ballet of Flanders are also based in Antwerp.

Programmes can be found on the Internet: http://www.toervl.be/ - www.antwerpen.be . - http://www. weekup.com/ - http://www.desingel.be/ - http://www.zuiderpershuis.be/ and are published in newspapers and local magazines. Tickets can be bought at Fnac (Grand Bazar Shopping Centre at the Groenplaats), Tele Ticket Service (070-34 53 45) and the Uitwinkel EKU-ticketshop (03 213 86 60).

Film buffs should check out the Metropolis multiplex on the edge of town (Groenendaallaan 394, 2030 Antwerpen, info line 0900 352 40). It is easy to reach with public transport. There is also the Gaumont multiplex (on the De Keyserlei, Tel. 03 227 17 66), and Cartoon's (on the Kaasstraat).

Pop festivals as well as international sports events are also organized in town.

After a busy day, you can enjoy one of the more than 600 Belgian beers in a nice pub in the old centre. And if you have any energy left, you can always go to one of the many sports centres.

In summer there are the Monday-evening concerts on the carillon of the Cathedral of Our Lady. This brings throngs of people to the streets around the cathedral and outdoor cafés.

Sports / R&R

Each Antwerp commune has its sports centre or complex. Various municipal swimming pools (pool= zwembad) are also open to the general public:

• Olympisch Zwembad Wezenberg, Desguinlei 19
• Stedelijk Zwembad Veldstraat 83, 2060 Antwerpen
• Zwembad Plantijn en Moretuslei, 2140 Antwerpen

For more information, please contact the ' Gemeentelijke Sportdienst' (municipal sports department), Hofstraat 17, Antwerpen, Tel. 03-220 86 80. There are several open-air pools in Boekenberg Park (Deurne) and on the left bank (Linkeroever) .

Close to campus Handelshogeschool and campus Sint-Andriesstraat there is a keep fit centre, located at the 2nd floor of the Grand Bazar Shopping Centre (more information on http://www.fit-inn.be/).

Those who want to go for a stroll or enjoy the greenery can go to one of the many parks in and around the city centre. On the left bank of the river Scheldt, there is also St. Anneke beach, where - weather permitting - you can go and sunbathe. To go there take either tram 2,3 or 15 direction 'Linkeroever' (Left Bank)(!)

or choose one of the following buses: 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 93, 95, 97 or 99.

The Zoo, near Central Station, is one of the most modern and most remarkable ones in the world, and home to a huge variety of animals.