In partnership with Zinneke and Park Poétik, we launch an international exchange platform around culture in the urban public space. At the end of June, we invited a dozen Belgian and international organisations to reflect on the political, social and cultural relevance of large-scale participatory initiatives. On the program: a co-creation workshop during the Brussels2030 Summer Assembly and immersion walks throughout the city.

 

The current desire to (re)claim the streets as our stage is partly rooted in Brussels’ previous celebration as European Capital of Culture in 2000. Ever since, Zinneke, MetX and other organisations have been working (together or not) on parades, festivals and interventions in the urban public space. From our experience with various participatory methodologies and international exchanges, we find that many organisations, projects and artists around the world face similar social, socio-political and artistic challenges.

 

 

With the support of Kunstenpunt, we invited other organisations to reflect on the political, social and cultural relevance of such large-scale participatory initiatives. We also looked beyond national borders: how do artists and organisations in other European cities deal with this? At the end of June, we welcomed the people from a.o. ICAF (Rotterdam – NDL), Velvet Parade (Prague – CZE), Oi Musica (Edinburgh – SCO) and La Fabrique des Impossibles (Paris – FRA) for an exchange of several days.

 

 

On Friday June 30, Zinneke, Park Poétik and MetX organised the co-creation lab The street is our stage during the Brussels2030 Summer Assembly. Together with the Belgian and international organisations, we worked on two central questions: what is the role, function and form of participatory arts in the public space of tomorrow’s hyper-diverse city? And how, beyond all the differences and drawing from our stratified identities, do we build a common imagination, future and identity?

 

Want to learn more about this international platform and the participants?

> Read the BROCHURE

 

A co-production by MetX, Zinneke, Park Poétik and Kunstenpunt in collaboration with Brussels2030, ICAF & EELT (NDL), Velvet Parade (CZE), Oi Musica (SCO), La Fabrique des Impossibles (FRA), OLTRE Festival (ITA), Dia de Muertos dans les Marolles & DROMFEST (BEL) and others.