Every Sunday, Belga English picks its favourite events from the cultural agenda. This week: Europalia brings Goya to Brussels, everyone becomes an art collector for Antwerp’s international art festival, and 19th-century architecture is in the spotlight, reports 24brussels.
Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) is celebrated for his profound portrayals of the aristocracy and his stark representations of injustice, violence, and societal unrest.
His work, oscillating between vibrant and unsettling, has significantly influenced perceptions of “Spanish” art, continuing to engage audiences. The central exhibition for Europalia España highlights Goya’s paintings and engravings, placing them alongside contemporaneous and subsequent artists, thus illustrating the scope of his artistic impact.
This exhibition marks the 30th edition of the Europalia biennial art festival. Forty years since its inaugural event in 1985, Europalia presents a comprehensive cultural program that includes visual arts, architecture, theatre, dance, music, performance, film, and literature.
Featuring Goya as a focal point, the festival will host around 100 events throughout Belgium, showcasing over 170 artists while offering fresh insights into heritage and Spain’s cultural diversity.
The Belgian International Art Fair (BiAf) unites art enthusiasts, collectors, and creators in a dynamic setting where art will not be isolated behind glass but will be accessible alongside the artists. This unique format enables attendees to engage with artists directly and acquire works firsthand.
This year’s event showcases an array of Belgian and international talents, featuring visual art across diverse disciplines, from paintings and sculptures to installations and limited-edition design pieces.
BiAf focuses on connecting creators with observers, merging established artists with emerging voices. The fair presents a unique convergence of stories articulated through various mediums.
ANTE Festival, 11-12 & 18-19 October, Brussels
Building on the success of the BANAD Festival, Explore.Brussels has introduced ANTE, a new autumn event examining the “long 19th century” (1780–1920), a transformative era that set the stage for modernity.
Visitors can participate in guided tours, lectures, walks, and bike rides, exploring the capital’s hidden architectural treasures, ranging from neoclassical structures to neo-Gothic buildings, alongside mysterious sites such as former banks and Masonic lodges.
In total, approximately 500 guided tours will be available across Brussels, showcasing how various artistic, social, and technological influences shaped the city’s architectural heritage.
This exhibition offers a poignant look into the lives of children in the Gaza Strip, illustrating how daily conflict impacts their existence. The exhibit, featuring works by Palestinian photographers and videographers, presents powerful imagery coupled with authentic soundscapes from the region, evoking the harsh realities faced by young individuals.
It serves as a testament to both grief and resilience, advocating for a ceasefire and justice for children in the conflict. Visitors are encouraged to engage meaningfully with the stories showcased, affirming the enduring significance of children even amid adversity.
Exceptional opening
David Hockney: The Song of the Earth, until 25 January, CAP – Musée des Beaux-Arts Mons
At 88, British painter David Hockney continues to intertwine painting, music, and poetry. Guided by Mahler’s Symphony No 9, this exhibition highlights Hockney’s large-scale works and iPad creations, engaging in dialogue with prominent figures like Van Gogh and Munch. Six thematic sections alongside immersive spaces explore nature’s cycles and humanity’s connection to the earth.
(MOH)
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