Bells, Belfries & Benelux: The Carillon in the Low Countries and the World - An IEEE Legacy
Visit to the KULeuven University Library Carillon
Dr. Luc Rombouts, University Carillonneur, KU Leuven
Followed by a guided tour of the carillon tower
Join the IEEE Benelux Section Life Member Affinity Group for a unique journey through music, history, and engineering. The University Library of Leuven, twice destroyed in the World Wars and rebuilt with American aid, is home to one of Europe's largest and finest carillons: 63 bells weighing 35 metric tons, including the seven-ton Liberty Bell that chimes the hour. This carillon is a monument to the 1,792 American engineers who died in Europe during the First World War, donated by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers – which in 1963 became the IEEE. Dr. Luc Rombouts, University Carillonneur at KU Leuven, will trace the history and development of the carillon in the Low Countries and the world, exploring how this instrument became a symbol of resilience and transatlantic friendship. After the lecture, Prof. Rombouts will guide us up the tower, introduce us to the instrument, and give a demonstration—witnessing a concert from behind the scenes. A rare blend of heritage, music, and IEEE history awaits.
Introduction of the Host
Dr. Luc Rombouts (KULeuven) is a Belgian carillonneur and author, serving as city carillonneur of Tienen and official carillonneur of both KU Leuven carillons -the University Library and the Groot Begijnhof- as well as Park Abbey. He has performed concerts across Europe and the United States. Dr. Rombouts teaches carillon playing and campanology at the Royal Carillon School ‘Jef Denyn’ at Mechelen. His 2010 reference book, "Zingend Brons", on five centuries of carillon music in the Low Countries and the New World, earned the Visser-Neerlandia Prize. The English edition, “Singing Bronze”, was published in 2014.
Registration
Participation to this event is free of charge for IEEE LMAG members. Other participants registration fee: 30 Euro. Please register by preference online or by sending an email to LMAG secretary: prof. Kees van ‘t Klooster C.G.v.t.Klooster@tue.nl before 27 November 2026. For safety reasons, the number of participants in the bell tower is limited to 30. Registrations will be handled in a first come first serve principle with priority for IEEE LMAG members.
In this event, pictures and videos could be recorded for use in reports and publications on the event and IEEE LMAG activities. In case you do not agree to be photographed or appear on videos recorded, please indicate this explicitly together with this registration via email to the IEEE Benelux Section LMAG secretary: Kees van 't Klooster C.G.v.t.Klooster@tue.nl at least one day before the event starts.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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- Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein 21
- Leuven, Vlaams Brabant
- Belgium 3000
- Building: Universiteitsbibliotheek KULeuven
- Room Number: to be confirmed later
- Starts 13 October 2026 10:00 PM UTC
- Ends 27 November 2026 12:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Agenda
12:00 Welcome, registration and small sandwich lunch get together
13:00 Presentation "Bells, Belfries & Benelux: The Carillon in the Low Countries and the World — An IEEE Legacy"
Dr. Luc Rombouts, University Carillonneur, KU Leuven
Followed by a guided tour of the carillon tower
How to get to the KULeuven University Library and Library Tower?
See: https://bib.kuleuven.be/english/about/index/contact
The University Library is located at the Mgr. Ladeuzeplein, on walking distance from the train station, the Rector De Somer-plein and the Grote Markt. You can park your car in the underground parking of the Mgr. Ladeuzeplein, right in front of the building.
Parking Ladeuze
More info and pricing: https://www.leuven.be/parkings/nl/wagens/parking-ladeuze