Rizal arrived in Ghent, a university city in Belgium, around July 1891, after spending time in Madrid and Biarritz. 

‎Reasons for Going to Ghent

• ‎Lower Cost of Printing: He needed to find a cheaper place to publish his second novel, El Filibusterismo, as he was facing severe financial difficulties. Ghent's printing houses offered better rates than those in Brussels or Paris.

• ‎Economizing: He lived very frugally to conserve every peso for the book's publication, residing in a humble room with his friend, José Alejandro.  

‎Activity

• ‎This stay is historically significant because it led to the successful release of his second revolutionary novel.

• ‎Printer: He located the printing press of F. Meyer, Van Loo at No. 66 Vlanderestraat.

• ‎Financial Struggle: He pawned his jewels and lived in extreme poverty. When his funds ran out, the printing was momentarily halted.

• ‎Savior: The publication was saved by the timely arrival of money sent by his loyal friend Valentin Ventura from Paris.

• ‎Publication Date: The novel finally came off the press on September 18, 1891.

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‎Departure

• ‎Shortly after seeing his book published, Rizal left Europe and sailed for Hong Kong in October 1891, ending his second major European sojourn.