Silence in pictures: winners of photo competition known
Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide launched a photo contest at the beginning of the summer. Photographers were challenged to capture the silence in the area in images. In this way, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide draws attention to its status as a Stiltegebied. From almost 200 entries, four winners and eight laureates were selected by the jury. On the occasion of the International Day of Silence on 25 October, the photos were placed in a temporary exhibition in the forest. Along walking trail Gloriรซtte, starting at Ravenhof Castle, everyone can discover the images.
The silence in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide is something to cherish. It is an important reason why people appreciate the area. In this competition, we have therefore linked it to people and to health in two of the four categories. This is deliberate because, following corona, we notice all the more how nature is a beacon of peace and confidence at a time when many other things become impossible. The winners managed to capture that with fantastic images.
Serenity in the morning mist
Hanneke Van Camp (winner in the Silence and people category): "Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide has beautiful landscapes where you can let go of everything for a while; beautiful spots that become completely enchanting when the rising sun shines through the morning mist. My favourite conditions. I like to be out early, to clear my head and enjoy nature slowly waking up. Together with my husband, we really came to look for that at the start of the lockdown in March. As he intently watched a cuckoo, I pushed off. Lovely to witness that." You can still discover images of Hanneke via her Instagram.
Katrien Maervoet (winner in the category Silence and health): "This photo was taken early on National Holiday. The weather forecast was good and I had got up as early as 4.15am, looking for the perfect image. I was trying to properly capture the serenity of the morning. In the end, this image was a fluke. The runner passed quickly and I had to react immediately. I ended up choosing this image because it immediately tells a story as well."
Magical moments
Mario Valkenborg (winner in the category Silence and nature): "I started photographing after a stressful period in my life. Spending time in nature and looking for the atmosphere that is present gives me a lot of peace. That peace is the main reason why I photograph. Secondly, I also want to pass on the magical moments I experience this way to others. That is why I am very happy to win this competition." You can discover more images of Mario via his Instagram.
Ellis Pellegrom (winner in the Silence and landscape category): "I'm basically more of a macro photographer. That morning I was looking for moorland blues to photograph. However, it didn't quite want to succeed. Until I made a virtue of necessity and also saw more of the beauty of the sunrise. That was really a beautiful moment."
Follow walking trail Gloriette to still yourself at twelve beautiful images
This beautiful forest walk takes you along paths with old pines, stately beeches and ancient oaks. You stroll through the avenues of the Moretus forest. The forest was named after the owner of the former estate, the famous Antwerp printer Jan Moretus. The estate was restored and the park forest with rhododendrons exudes tranquillity and mystery. With a little imagination, you can imagine yourself back in the 18th century, when ladies and gentlemen strolled the avenues around the baroque pleasure resort. The Gloriette, an 18th-century showpiece building that belonged to Ravenhof Castle, used to be a teahouse and has been a protected national monument since 1990. It offers a beautiful view of the avenue structure and the castle.
Laureates
Silence and health: Ella Raes and Evelien Pyl
Silence and landscape: Robin Vermonden and Willy Detloff
Silence and man: Ivo Schut and Jeroen De Wilde
Silence and nature: Mark Mertens and Lore Danckers