A new autumn festival dedicated to Brussels architecture will spotlight the stylistic and technical evolutions of the 'long 19th century,' organiser Explore.Brussels announced on Wednesday.
Taking place from 11 to 19 October across Brussels-Capital Region, the ANTE Festival replaces and merges the Neoclassical and Eclectic Biennials, which were previously held in alternating years. It offers a deep dive into the diverse architectural styles from 1780 to 1920, from Neoclassicism to the roots of Modernism, via Eclecticism.
The festival is conceived as the counterpart to the springtime Brussels Art Nouveau and Art Deco (BANAD) Festival. “This new event aims to punctuate the annual calendar with two significant and complementary moments,” Explore.Brussels stated in a press release.
As with the BANAD Festival, ANTE will feature guided tours of rarely-accessible interiors, outdoor walks to explore the city in the open air, and themed lectures for architecture enthusiasts and the general public alike.
Inclusive programming has been prioritised, with activities for individuals with disabilities as part of the Explore+ initiative. Workshops for families and schools are planned, as well as visits tailored for organisations teaching literacy and French as a foreign language.
Highlights of the programme include guided tours of iconic landmarks, such as the Hotel Knuyt de Vosmaer, the former Bischoffsheim Castle, the Hap House, the old Brunner Bank, the Campioni Hotel, Tournay-Solvay Castle, and the historic Schaerbeek railway station.
