In the rapidly changing world of the 19th century, Art Nouveau aimed to elevate the human spirit through beauty by forging a link between ethics and aesthetics.

Beginning at the La Prévoyance Sociale building (originally home to a social insurance cooperative), the walking tour will move on to some of the other buildings in Square de l'Aviation/Luchtvaartsquare and the former municipal girls' school in Rue Georges Moreau/Georges Moreaustraat to discuss the role of education and the place of women in 19th-century society. It will then pass the former municipal boys' school in Rue Eloy/Eloystraat, before taking in Rue des Bassins/Kommenstraat and ending up at Parc Crickx/Crickxpark.

Participants will have an opportunity to discuss the issues raised and give their responses and thoughts on utilitarianism and artists' ability to change the world.