Updated May 5, 2022

The friends of my friends are my friends...

By Shana Devleschoudere
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Place Albert in the good old days. The time when the association "Les amis du Zoute" was born in 1932. Happy 90s!

Place Albert in the good old days. The time when the association "Les amis du Zoute" was born in 1932. Happy 90s!

A veritable Zoutoise institution, the "Les amis du Zoute" association is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. A good opportunity to write a few lines about them. Because they're worth it!
It was in 1932, therefore, that the "Amis du Zoute" community was founded. The seaside resort was not yet the most popular in Europe, but a certain creativity and liveliness were already making themselves felt.
If you take a moment to think about it, you might wonder how the Zoute came to be so fashionable. Two factors seem to be decisive. Firstly, founding fathers with a tremendous vision for the future, led by the Lippens family. And secondly, an avant-garde, entrepreneurial spirit.
It was in this spirit that the "Les amis du Zoute" concept was created. The idea was to bring together people with similar interests, but who didn't know each other. With a common denominator: Zoute of course!
If you're not lucky enough to be part of this big family (there's still time to become a member and meet the more than 1,000 current members...), you're bound to have seen its logo: a Z surrounded by a circle, all in red and white. Sound familiar? And as proof of the popularity of these meetings today, a few days ago they were featured in Paris-Match. Nothing less! And this on the occasion of the full resumption of its activities, after two rotten years with Covid. Where, from postponement to cancellation, the schedule was, on too many occasions, turned upside down. Unfortunately, this was the lot of all group activities, on the coast as elsewhere. As we all know, many sectors were affected. And some still are: just ask cinema operators if they've got their audiences back...
But let's get back to our subject: the activities of the association in question. The main reason for its success and longevity is the wide range of activities on offer. Gastronomy, shows, oenology, walks, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, events of all kinds? Les amis du Zoute" will always be able to offer you something to suit your tastes and colors. To see for yourself, let's take a look at the agenda for the coming weeks. It's bound to make your mouth water.
One of Knokke's iconic spots is, of course, the Zwin. Our friends, who are now a little bit yours and ours, offer you several activities around the nature park. One of them is a bike tour of the Zwin's vanished ports. Explanations: to return to the past, the organizers have relied on future technology. Along the circuit, you'll find four virtual reality terminals. Looking through the binoculars of these viewers, you leave the present-day landscape behind and marvel at the bustle of port life between 1431 and 1441: heavily-laden ships dock, people unload or trade. And it's all done with a 360° view. Other guided walks are also available. All within the famous Zwin.
But the "Friends of Zoute" also organize other activities, in places other than the coast. Take, for example, a visit to the paradisiacal "Floralies gantoises" or an excursion to discover the secret and unusual places of Bruges. The Venice of the North has so much to offer!
To finish convincing you, we could tell you about an excursion to Zeeland, a concert by the winners of the Queen Elisabeth Competition or a VIP visit to BRAFA, with Ambassadeur. What a menu!
Are you convinced? If you want to be even more convinced, all the activities offered by the association can be found on lesamisduzoute.be. At Knokke-Le-Zoute, the Z is not necessarily the signature of Zorro... Enjoy!
Want to know more about "Les amis du Zoute"... who will become your friends? Go to the Zoute Paper page-turner.
I wish you a friendly weekend full of educational and festive activities!