Every July, the historic city of Ghent bursts into life with the Gentse Feesten, one of Europe’s largest and oldest city festivals. For ten days, the streets, squares, and canals of the old town transform into a vibrant celebration of music, theatre, dance, and street performances. During the Ghent Festivities 2025, which took place from 18 to 27 July, a large crane was glowing in rainbow colours. At its foot stands the monument to the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck, pioneers of Early Netherlandish painting in the early 15th century, surrounded by life-sized figures of men, women, and children that symbolise admiration from all walks of life. Hubert, the elder, is traditionally regarded as the initiator of the famous Ghent Altarpiece (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb), while Jan became one of the most celebrated painters of the Northern Renaissance, completing the altarpiece after Hubert’s death and perfecting the use of oil painting with remarkable detail. They stand side by side in 15th-century clothing: Hubert holding a book, Jan with a painter’s palette. At their feet lie symbols of their craft. 回