Studiecentrum Maurice Roelants (The Maurice Roelants Study Centre)
Maurice Roelants is a fascinating character, not only on the literary level, but also on the inter-artistic and cultural levels. He also played an important role in Brussels and the province of Flemish Brabant; he lived in Sterrebeek and Lennik, and was the curator of the Gaasbeek castle. His novels contain numerous allusions to all that.The Maurice Roelants Study Centre aims to be active in different fields: publishing a website and a yearbook; organising colloquia and lectures, and showing movies (cf. Maria Danneels of het leven dat wij droomden); compiling a bibliography; publishing a critical publication of his correspondence, etc.
The first activity took place on 17 November 2004. The centre was then officially opened with a colloquium. The contributions to the colloquium were published in a book named Ik begrijp deze variaties in een gemoed. Bijdragen colloquium Maurice Roelants (1895-1966) (Antwerpen / Apeldoorn, Garant, 2004).
In February 2005 a special on Maurice Roelants (1895-1966) was published in Kunsttijdschrift Vlaanderen (The Flanders Art Magazine) with contributions on the scenery/space in his work; a comparison between him and Karel van de Woestijne; the adaptation of his work for the screen; his contribution as the curator; and the importance of his house.
On 17 May 2006 a second colloquium was organised. The contributions were published by the Universitaire Pers Leuven: Zangers der groene Waranden. Beelden van de literair-historische groene rand rond Brussel.
The establishment of the Studiecentrum Maurice Roelants was approved by the Academic Council of the K.U.Leuven on 15 December 2003. Brussels. Stefan van den Bossche will look after the centre's interests, supported by others such as Hugo Bousset and Martine de Clercq.
