What’s on this week: 21-27 January

The contemporary dance bonanza D Festival 10 returns to the capital for two weeks of creative movement. Showcasing local talent and new works, the programme includes a workshot (by Garage 29 artists) and an exhibition of photos by Maël G Lagadec that captures moving bodies (Bar du Marni). Staged at Marni Theatre, La Balsamine, Le Senghor Hors Murs, the works encompass themes of patriarchy, personal limits, care and warmth and Balkan rhythms. Claire Huber’s Breves breves lignes de l’horizon (main image) is a Belgian premiere. 27 January to 10 February, multiple venues

Artcurial Brussels auction house honours renowned Congolese artist Pili Pili Mulongoy (1914-2007) with an exhibition of outstanding works on show for the first time. On loan to the prestigious auctioneer are 15 colourful paintings in Pili Pili, un maître de l’art moderne africain (pictured). The son of a fisherman in the province of Katanga, Pili Pili was inspired by traditional legends and African nature according the cycle of life and death (free entrance). Until 9 February, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 5 (Ixelles)

Fans of Korean culture are in for a treat at the exhibition Talk Talk Korea 2021, hosted by the Korean Cultural Center Brussels. The popularity of Korean culture, a phenomenon known as the Korean wave, K-wave or hallyu is highly influential in numerous sectors. Showing on four monitors are the 140 winners of the global hallyu content contest, divided into various categories, including K-pop, video, modern traditional music, anime and masked singer (free entrance). Until 31 March, Rue de la Régence 4Although the majority of Baltic Sea Festival events have been cancelled due to Covid, two Bach-related concerts are taking place at Flagey. The Collegium Vocale Gent  (pictured) conducted by Philippe Herreweghe will perform the composer's Kyrie & Gloria of the B minor Mass, while Belgian pianist Julien Libeer juxtaposes Bach’s preludes and fugues with some of their spiritual heirs for the release of his new album A Well-Tempered Conversation. The Baltic connection for both concerts is Estonian Arvo Pärt being inspired by the late Baroque German Composer to return to the essence of music. 29 January 15.00 (Julien Libeer) & 20.30 (Collegium Vocale Gent), Place Sainte-Croix

Belgian documentary La mesure des choses by Patric Jean is the latest film highlighting the climate crisis. The poetic journey around the Mediterranean reflects on the state of the planet as well as migration. A screening and debate at the Palace cinema is attended by a host of Belgian climate activists, including researcher Rebecca Thissen, journalist Christophe Schoune, Youth for climate’s Lucie Morauw and artist Didier Mahieu, who appears in the film. While the discussion is in French, the film is in Fr, Eng, Arab, Gr and It (subtitled in Fr). 21 January 18.30, Boulevard Anspach 85

The Israeli film Box for Life by Uri Borreda has been chosen by Ciné ONU to mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. It’s the story of Noah Klieger, a French teenager who smuggled fellow Jewish children from Belgium to Switzerland. Captured by the Germans, he was sent to Auschwitz where he escaped death by claiming to be a boxer. Afterwards, he immigrated to Israel as a crewmember of the famous illegal immigrant boat Exodus – 1947. To participate in the online screening and panel discussion (attended by Borreda) via WebEx, register here by 23 January. The 60-minute film is subtitled in Eng. 24 January 18.30

Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch is a key figure of Viennese Actionism, and known for his visceral performance art practice often based on the ritualistic practice of sacrifice. Some of his famously provocative paintings are on show in a solo exhibition at the Maruani Mercier Gallery (pictured). Created in the post-fascist period, they are referred to as Orgien Mysterien Theater and involve blood, animal entrails, and nudity. Until 12 February, Avenue Louise 430

Register now Ireland’s St Brigid’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate women’s creativity. The Embassy of Ireland in Belgium honours its only female patron saint on her feast day in an online discussion of women’s history in independent Ireland. Historian and broadcaster Catriona Crowe will be in conversation with Politico Brussels Playbook co-author Suzanne Lynch. The focus on the second wave of Irish Feminism is followed by an online Q&A. Registration necessary. 1 February, 18.00

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Pop Art, from Warhol to Panamarenko is an exhibition of 40 major works by key figures from the modern art movement at Ghent’s contemporary art museum SMAK. The works originate from the Matthys-Colle private collection – on long-term loan to the museum - as well as its own collection. Together, they offer a panoramic view of Belgian and international pop art. In addition to pioneer Andy Warhol and Belgian sculptor Panamerenko, artists include Christo, Tetsumi Kudo, Roy Lichtenstein, Daniel Spoerri, Tom Wesselmann (Great American Nude, pictured), Martial Raysse, Gerhard Richter and Robert Rauschenberg. Until 8 May, Jan Hoetplein 1, Ghent

The Royal Museum of Mariemont takes visitors on a tour into the cult of the god Mithras, one of the most mysterious cults of Roman Antiquity. The Mystery of the Mithras: Exploring the  Heart of a Roman Cult gathers many rare objects, on display for the first time. This modern museum was created by rich industrialist Raoul Warocqué and is located in the extensive grounds of Mariemont château in Hainaut province, famed for its English-style gardens. Until 17 April, Chaussée de Mariemont 100, Morlanwelz