On February 6, the Russian House in Brussels hosted the lecture “The Flemish Carillon for Saint Petersburg”, devoted to the history, traditions, and contemporary revival of the carillon art in Russia. The lecture was delivered by Jozef Willem Haazen — an outstanding musician and scholar, one of the world’s leading carillonneurs, and Professor at the Faculty of Arts of Saint Petersburg State University.

During the meeting, the audience became acquainted with the carillon as one of the key symbols of Flemish musical culture and, at the same time, a rare yet significant phenomenon in the soundscape of Saint Petersburg. Special attention was given to the path that led to the installation of a new carillon in Russia’s Northern Capital, as well as to the European roots of this tradition and the specifics of its adaptation within the Russian cultural context.

A separate section of the lecture was dedicated to the history of the donation of the carillon to Saint Petersburg in 2001 as part of the preparations for the city’s 300th anniversary by its sister city, Antwerp. This instrument became an important contribution to the revival of musical traditions first established by Peter the Great in the 18th century at the Peter and Paul Fortress. Initiated by Jozef Haazen, the project was implemented with the support of the King Baudouin Foundation and financed by more than 350 sponsors, including Queen Fabiola, the Government of Flanders, Flemish provinces, cities, universities, cultural organizations, and private individuals.

The lecture was accompanied by a screening of the historical documentary film “Mellow Chime” by Russian director Igor Romanovsky (Moscow), which enriched the narrative with visual and musical context.

The event was attended by Russian musicians whom Jozef Willem Haazen had invited to Belgium more than twenty years ago to study the art of carillon playing. As a token of deep gratitude, they solemnly presented the lecturer with a bouquet of flowers.

Jozef Willem Haazen is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp and the Royal Carillon School “Jef Denyn” in Mechelen, a former city carillonneur of Antwerp and Mechelen, Honorary Director of the Royal Carillon School, and Professor at Saint Petersburg State University. He is a recipient of numerous international awards, including the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation, awarded to him in 2004 by Presidential Decree of Vladimir V. Putin for his contribution to the development of Saint Petersburg’s cultural life and the revival of its urban musical traditions. He has also been awarded the Medal “In Commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg” and an Honorary Certificate of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg. Since 2001, the musician has regularly performed concerts at the Peter and Paul Fortress.

The event in Brussels became a significant cultural occasion, highlighting the strong ties between Flanders and Saint Petersburg and recalling the role of the carillon as a living symbol of dialogue between European musical traditions.