Travel Series: Playing "Stare Mesto" near the "Pont des Trous" in Tournai, Belgium

Tournai, Belgium - 30 May, 2018

Last week we found ourselves exploring new cities in Belgium, a country we have been able to explore for the first time in 2018. While visiting a friend in the quaint city of Tournai, she brought us to their medieval bridge "Pont des Trous". The fortified bridge was one of the many defensive structures built in Tournai, a city that was the first capital of France. Tournai remains one of Belgium's oldest cities and the "Pont des Trous" is certainly a landmark that many of its inhabitants hold dear.

Despite it's historical significance, the city has voted to destroy the bridge, in order to allow passage for wider barges and commercial shipping. This has caused a large blow-back among loyal natives of the city of Tournai as they fight to preserve a structure that has long been a symbol of the city (the bridge was even rebuilt after having been destroyed in WWII). It was for this reason that our friend asked us to play a song near the bridge, to help spread awareness about the fate of this historical structure. It is unlikely that the fate of the bridge will be changed, however, at least by having played in front of this bridge, we preserve it in our own history.

The song is called "Stare Mesto", which in Czech means "Old City". It is a kind of classic-crossover piece, with clear Baroque influences. It felt very fitting to play this song at this location.