Science at the Fair

Foorwonder exhibition

Huis van Alijn (Ghent), opening on 20 June 2025

'Foorwonder ' is a temporary exhibition at the Huis van Alijn and runs from 20 June 2025 to 26 April 2026.
Location: Huis van Alijn, Kraanlei 65, 9000 Ghent
Opening hours: ​
Tickets: book at the reception desk,  or by phone (T 09 235 38 00)
Includes visit to museum of daily life (permanent exhibition)
Accessibility: Read more accessibility information about the expo .
Multilingual range: info is provided in Dutch, French and English
Foorwonder HvA banner.jpg
Enter a world of enchantment, science and spectacle at the late-19th and early-20th-century fairground

Today, the fairground is all about big and fast rides. Only a century ago, the fair looked very different. Travel back in time to a funfair with anatomical museums and mechanical theatres. Experience technological innovations from the steam engine to the cinematograph, enjoy visual spectacle with magic lanterns and three-dimensional images. Meet exotic animals and talking objects, let yourself be enchanted by conjurers and illusionists. Receive love advice from fortune tellers and experience the rare wonders of the past.

Curious about the 'tricks of the trade'? Discover unique marvels and experience the fairground of the late-nineteenth century - (N)ever seen before!

As of 19 September (three months into the exhibition), Huis van Alijn welcomed 12,500 visitors already!

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This expo is the result of a collaboration with Science at the Fair, who present their research results in the exhibition.

Press
  • ​: article Stad Gent (16 June 2025)
  • ​: article Het Laatste Nieuws (18 June 2025)
  • ​: article and video report AVS (19 June 2025)
  • ​: video report Gent in Beeld (date unknown)
  • ​: article Nieuwsblad (21 June 2025)
  • "'": article KW (26 June 2025)
  • "Een unieke blik op de nieuwe expo FOORWONDER: Interview curator Marie Vandecaveye": article Museumjournaal (vol. 21, no. 35, summer 2025)
  • "​": article Stretto (2 July 2025)
  • ​: interview about Foorwonder with SciFair PhD Gitte Samoy (5 July 2025, from 1:50:10)
  • ​: video report, interview with SciFair coordinator Nele Wynants, and article Universiteit van Vlaanderen (6 July 2025)
  • "": 4-star review in De Standaard (29 July 2025 online, 30 July 2025 in print)
  • ​: podcast episode about Foorwonder and the team's ongoing research with SciFair PhD Gitte Samoy and SciFair PI Nele Wynants (17 September 2025)

"Foorwonder" at Lannoo

Find out more about the accompanying book publication (from 24/6/25)