Brussels is coming alive with sunnier days and (slightly) warmer temperatures. This spring feeling is reflected in this weekend's agenda, with the Brosella spring festival and other events that will spur locals and tourists alike to spend full days outdoors exploring the region. Find our favourites below!
Arts, culture and music
In Movement, Les Brigittines, until Saturday 23 March
This biennial festival invites artists from a variation of backgrounds, origins and artistic styles with links to the Belgian capital – either living or working here. Combined, In Movement bears witness to the lively commitment of choreographers of all generations to the contemporary world.
Blue Moon Spring by Anneleen Keppens. Credit: Les Brigittines
Since 2012, the event has combined various performances including premieres, conferences and a round table discussion that will explore concerns about the ecological crisis, alongside issues surrounding contemporary dance and its role in the city.
Find more information here.
Klarafestival, various locations in Brussels, until Sunday 24 March
The well-established Klara Festival, one of the highlights of the cultural agenda in Brussels, once again ushers in spring with 22 musical encounters. This year, the festival centres around the theme of Crossroads – an intriguing symbolism that alludes to freedom to go in any direction. This is mirrored in the programme developed together with American opera singer Claron McFadden.
Credit: Bozar
Her rich experience helped shape a programme with wonderfully diverse and infectious projects featuring the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside international soloists such as baritone Matthias Goerne, pianists Alexandre Kantorow and star conductors Jaap Van Zweden and Iván Fischer. The events unite not only diverse styles but also allow for interaction between different generations.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Brussels Art Nouveau & Art Deco Festival (BANAD), various locations, until Sunday 24 March
The year of Art Nouveau may have come to an end, but the events promoting this architectural style, and Art Deco, in Brussels have not. This weekend, a festival entirely dedicated to these unique art forms will once kick off in the region.
Former Pathé Palace cinema (arch. Paul Hamesse, 1910-1913). Credit: Visit.brussels
The concept of the event is unique in Europe: what makes it stand out are the guided tours through Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings that are normally not open to visitors. BANAD therefore marks a once in a once-in-a-year opportunity to (re) discover these hidden architectural gems dotted across Brussels. This heritage is also highlighted through other activities such as outdoor walking, bicycle and bus tours, concerts, seminars and activities for the wee ones.
Find more information here.
COLLECTIBLE Design Fair, Vanderborght Building, until Sunday 10 March
COLLECTIBLE fair, dedicated to path-breaking 21st-century design, was one of the first of its kind to focus on contemporary design exclusively. The now well-established event will be returning to Brussels for its seventh edition, bringing together galleries, design studios, architects, and institutions. It blurs the lines between functional art and collectible design, exhibiting limited edition and unique pieces.
Credit: Collectible Brussels
Aside from the sections that have contributed to the fair's success – MAIN, BESPOKE, NEW GARDE, and CURATED – the festival is also re-introducing the two sections that marked a renewal in the previous edition: ARCHITECT VS DESIGNER, showcasing recent furniture design projects, and DIALOGUE, putting contemporary design in conversation with pieces from the 80s and 90s.
Find more information here.
Brosella Spring, LaVallée, until Sunday 10 March
The spring version of the popular summer event 'Brosella' is back for its second edition with premieres, release concerts, (dance) workshops, and performances for the whole family. As with last year, the festival will take place at the old industrial laundromat, LaVallée, located in Molenbeek’s canal zone.
Credit: Brosella Spring Festival
Over four days, the festival will spotlight emerging artists from jazz, world and urban music genres, including BXL x LDN Interplay ft. Binker Golding, Stéphane Galland and Bram De Looze, world-class drummers Eric Thielemans and Billy Hart, Brussels-based nu-jazz ensemble KAU, and many more.
Find more information here.
Women's week
'Mujeres en la Música’ (Women in Music), various locations in Brussels, Friday 8 March
On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Instituto Cervantes has organised a unique series of events curated by musicologist Ruth Prieto. This Friday (and on 13 and 20 March), Spanish experts and performers will offer audiences a portrait of the current reality of women in the world of music.
Floraleda Sacchi/ Andrea Sirtori
This Friday at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, a conversation will take place on the topic 'women's musical writing and performance' between musicographer and curator of the cycle, Ruth Prieto and famous Italian harpist Floraleda Sacchi, followed by a free concert by the musician.
Find more information here.
