Mechelen. Haverwerf 21 1880 - 1930

This is a photograph of Haverwerf 21 in Mechelen, Belgium, taken by Folkwang Auriga Verlag. It captures the facade of a building with a sign reading "A. Van Paesschen Estaminet." "Estaminet" is a word from the local dialect used to describe a type of drinking establishment that were, and continue to be, important sites of community and social interaction. The photograph highlights the building's detailed woodwork and carving. This image invites us to think about the social and cultural life of early 20th century Belgium. The architecture may be read as an expression of local identity, connecting the area's economy and society. What can we tell about this place, and the people who socialized there, just by looking at this building? To understand this artwork, we can draw on resources from social and architectural history. What were estaminets like in the past? What role did they play in society? How have these spaces changed over time? Looking at this photograph, we gain a deeper understanding of local culture.