From the Academy

Old Bruges is the finest city of the Low Countries, and one of the most beautiful and interesting in Europe. Six centuries ago it was a great industrial and commercial town; now it drowses—despite some new industry outside its walls—among its miles of canals and misty cobbled streets. The terrible conflicts of our century have spared Bruges as if the town were under enchantment.

In Bruges, appropriately enough, there was established at the end of World War Two a unique educational foundation, the College of Europe. This is no part of the UN or its branches. It has no vast subsidies (and is housed, simply and pleasantly, in two roomy old buildings near the heart of the city); its staff, though able, is small; it accepts only thirty-five to forty students a year. Yet it may continue to have its beneficent influence long after all the grandiose schemes of UNESCO are forgotten.

RK

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Russell Kirk

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Old Bruges is the finest city of the Low Countries, and one of the most beautiful and interesting in Europe. Six centuries ago it was a great industrial and commercial town; now it drowses—despite some new industry outside its walls—among its miles of canals and misty cobbled streets. The terrible conflicts of our century have spared Bruges as if the town were under enchantment.

In Bruges, appropriately enough, there was established at the end of World War Two a unique educational foundation, the College of Europe. This is no part of the UN or its branches. It has no vast subsidies (and is housed, simply and pleasantly, in two roomy old buildings near the heart of the city); its staff, though able, is small; it accepts only thirty-five to forty students a year. Yet it may continue to have its beneficent influence long after all the grandiose schemes of UNESCO are forgotten.