THE CONGRESS OF THE

EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE - COMPANION ANIMALS

CONGRESS SOCIAL PROGRAMME

Once again we will be offering a very attractive social programme. Please be sure to book each event with your registration to avoid disappointment as tickets are limited. It will be compared to other years different! This year we will have only one official congress dinner.

 Wednesday 3 September 2008

Early registration and pick-up of the congress bags in the Congress Center for those who already have registered  between 14.00 and 16.00 hours. Thereafter, at the Welcome Reception

 A welcome reception will be held in The Gravensteen, a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the count' in Dutch.

The present castle was built in 1180 by count Philip of Alsaceand was modelled after the crusaders castles the count encountered while he participated in the second crusade. Before its construction, there stood a wooden castle on the same location, presumably built in the ninth century. The castle served as the seat of the Counts of Flanders until they abandoned it in the 14th century. The castle was then used as a courthouse, a prison and eventually decayed. Houses were built against the walls and even on the courtyard and the stones of the walls were used to erect other buildings. At one time it even served as a factory. At the end of the 19th century, the castle was scheduled to be demolished.

In 1885 the city of Ghent bought the castle and started a renovation project. The newly built houses were removed and the walls and donjon were restored to their original grandeur.

Thursday 4 September 2008 Ghent City Tour

   Information to follow

Friday 5 September 2008 Congress Gala Dinner

Saturday 6 September 2008 Farewell party

At 18.00 hours. Drinks and small snacks will be provided.