Photographer's Note
THE STORY OF BRABO AND ANTINGOON
Once upon a time a very long ago
there lived a giant by the name of Antigoon
not a very kind, but a particularly nasty one.
He lived on the river Scheldt
in a stronghold made of stone
and blocked all ships from passing to or fro,
demanding a high ransom or worse.
The people of the city suffered greatly
for they could not fight the giant
and if they did, the giant would surely beat them
badly and take revenge on the city.
In the old old days, before the giant,
the city prospered with trade and traffic
all over the seven seas. Now it lay idle
and in misery and they did not know what to do.
Then one day, and a fine day it was,
a brave young Roman soldier boy by the good name of Brabo,
arrived in town and sympathisingly heard
of the gloom and doom that had befallen the city folk.
Brave, and perhaps even a little bit foolishly,
Brabo challenged the giant for a duel, and
to the immense joy and also much to the surprise of the city folk,
Brabo beat Antigoon.
As a token of his victory,
and to make sure that Antingoon
would never no more demand ransom
or block the river gateway,
Brabo then proceede to cut off
the giant's hand
and throw it into the river.
The people of the city rejoiced
and a merry time was hed by all,
involving beer, meat
and dancing in the street.
And this is the story of how Antwerp got its name.
"(H)and" is hand, "werpen" means throwing...
and the city was named after the hand thrown into the river.
---
Above a highly personal retelling of the myth about the origins of the name Antwerpen. It's not terribly scientific and there are other, more boring explanations of where the name came from...but this is my favourite.
---
THIS PICTURE shows the statue of Brabo throwing the hand of Antingoon. It is located in the middle of the Grote Markt (Grand Market) in front of the Antwerp City Hall.
Funny thing is: the statue of Brabo throws the hand away from the river! My favourite story here is that this was done on purpose to annoy our mayor, so he'd look at Brabo's backside everytime he opens the window of his office!
---
Follow-up picture to my corona-themed previous post, which showed you the wider view from pretty much the same location. Here's a closer view and a shot of optimism. Yes we can!
Critiques | Translate
CMJC
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 769 W: 148 N: 622]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(4773) 2020-11-23 9:23 [Comment]
jhm
(203057) 2020-11-23 10:51
Goedenavond Benny,
Beter kon u het niet treffen om een contrast beeld te maken.
Heel goede beschrijving van al wat we kunnen zien.
Antwerpen is zeker een mooie stad maar wordt niet op de zelfde manier gepromoot als Brugge en Gent.
Heel mooi en interessant foto werk. Bedankt.
Nog een prettige avond,
John.
lousat
(130007) 2020-11-23 11:16
Hi Benny,your notes about the birth of the name of the city is really interesting, maybe it's just a legend, but it remains without a doubt a fascinating hypothesis. And the state is there to celebrate the throwing of the hand in memory of this theory. The photo is beautiful and makes the most of the light and the sky of that lucky moment. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano
PaulVDV
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5680 W: 17 N: 13739]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(54875) 2020-11-23 12:13
Hallo Benny,
De donkere schaduwen aan de rand spelen hier geen rol zoals op je vorige foto.
Maar het blijft een prachtige foto!
PS: Ook niet-Antwerpenaren in Belgiλ leren dat verhaal in hun kindertijd. Ik herinner me dat ik dat als kind een bijzonder mooi verhaal vond.
Vele groeten, Paul
Silvio1953
(205793) 2020-11-23 13:12
Ciao Benny, beautiful too this more close view of great parade of fascinating lighting facades, lovely composition with nice statue in FG, beautiful contrast against superb dark sky, wonderful colors, fine details, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
Fis2
(155673) 2020-11-23 13:54
Witaj Benny!
A very nice view, interesting buildings and statue make impression.
I like framing, colors and light.
Photo has atmosphere.
Well done.
Nice new week.
Krzysztof
macjake
(96157) 2020-11-23 15:12
Hi Benny
your last post from this same location is a looker as well, I really enjoy both for different yet obvious reasons. The one similarity in the wide angle and close up has to be the atmosphere. the grey skyline is perfect, as is the lighting striking the windows...awesome. fun story to go along with it too. cheers
Craig
PiotrF
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 5631 W: 2 N: 11132]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(52330) 2020-11-23 16:22
Hello Benny
Great picture from Antwerpen, nice composition with beautiful facades and cloudy sky.I like fine details, good composition and nice colours.
Good work, fine presentation.
Reagrds
Piotr
quovadis
(5677) 2020-11-23 23:09
Hi Benny.
A superb capture here. the City Hall in gold, the sculpture in green, and the sky in dark grey, an unusual combination of colours and shape makes this scene attractive to the eye. TFS!!!
jemaflor
(135464) 2020-11-23 23:26
Hi Benny,
Une autre excellente photo qui utilise le contraste entre cette luminositι du soleil et ce ciel plombι en fond de dιcor. Le rιsultat est idιalement photogιnique, bien composιe l'image avec cette statue en avant-plan, parfaite nettetι, on admire, vue et photo, tfs.
emka
(152274) 2020-11-24 0:08
Hello Benny, Another view of the tenements of Antwerp in this fantastic light. Awesome composition. I like how the foot of the giant touches the top of the building. Spectacular picture.
Best regrads Malgo
SteveH
(7978) 2020-11-24 1:38
Hi Benny, A very dramatic presentation, with the bright buildings contrasting nicely with the dark sky. Inclusion of the statue is a nice addition to the scene, just a shame that it is partly in shadow. Cheers, steve
Royaldevon
(75468) 2020-11-24 3:04
Hello Benny,
What a fascinating story.
Yes, the mayor must have been unpopular to warrant such attention.
This is a fine follow up to your previous photograph in details and colours but, I wonder if you will have a look at what I suggest. If you crop some of the sky (which I know is very atmospheric), the statue immediately becomes more obvious, with much greater impact.Without the crop, it easier for the statue to merge with those very strong building facades.
Have a good day,
Bev :-)
abmdsudi
(88597) 2020-11-24 6:39
Hi Benny
Very striking story-telling pic! The statue in the best spot just makes the shot and points the eye towards the classic buildings and contrasting dark sky. Lovely observation and another great shot.
Best regards
ikeharel
(105933) 2020-11-24 9:21
Hello Benny,
Storm clouds as dark backdrop to the well lit beautiful facades and the statue in front.
Achieved a superb contrast and fine clarity.
Good evening,
Ike
ktanska
(40101) 2020-11-24 11:21
Hi Benny,
This gorgeous light was certainly worth for another upload of this impressive square. And closer angle gives good attention to this statue. And your note tells well the story behind it.
Kari
ChrisJ
(160070) 2020-11-25 0:06
Hi Benny
Wow! The sunlit Antwerp City Hall is up there with Hamburg City Hall for elegance and style! The dramatic storm clouds provide a stunning backdrop. Good sharpness too. Tfs!
ifege
(32323) 2020-11-25 22:08
Hi Benny
I haven't been to Antwerp but from this great photo maybe I should have. Great light on the buildings against the dark sky.
cheers
Ian
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Benny Verbercht (BennyV)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2905 W: 35 N: 6199]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(32570) - Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2020-11-20
- Camera: Nikon D3200, Tamron AF18-200mm 3,5-6,3 XR Di II E 6
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Θέμα(τα): Pictures of Home - part 2 [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2020-11-23 9:17
