What’s on this week: 11 to 17 July

AfroDisiac is the biggest free cultural event in Belgium dedicated to Africa and children’s rights. Beyond the performances of traditional and contemporary music, children’s village, artisan stands and African cuisine, the festival is all about solidarity for the continent. This edition shines a light on the experiences of children living in Congo and supports the project Watoo Wetu, a local initiative that accompanies traumatised children via art and creative expression. 12-13 July, Carrefour des Attelages, Bois de la Cambre

More than 1,000 street, neighbourhood and local initiatives are revving up to celebrate Flemish Community Day on 11 July. Events across Flanders and Brussels mark the regional holiday which commemorates the famous 1302 Battle of the Golden Spurs victory and symbol of Flemish independence. As well as the evening concert Vlaanderen Feest! in Antwerp’s Grote Markt, Brussel Danst includes a sing-along on the Grand Place, performances and exhibitions in Brussels parliament and dance battles at AB. Meanwhile, a Roller Skate Jam is staged near Place de la Monnaie. Everything is free, but some events require registration (In Dutch). 11 July, across Brussels and Flanders

Head to Mont des Arts from Wednesday evenings for dance battles in loads of different styles – funky, power moves, abstrakt, juggling, pole dance, swing and more. The winners of these battles come together in the big all-star battle at Théâtre National on 13 September. The competition is at the heart of the Detours Festival, which also features neighbourhood projects, street performances, the international young choreographers Works in Progress programme and productions by previous festival winners. 16 July to 21 September, across Brussels

Les Estivales de la Woluwe  in Roodebeek park concludes its lovely free classical concert programme with sax quartet Collectif Arsys on Saturday and duet Bloutch on Wednesday. Until 16 July, Wednesday at 16.30; Saturday at 18.00, Roodebeek Park (Woluwe-Saint Lambert)

Escape the bustle of city life with a brief musical interlude in the city’s museum quarter. Musicorum stages classical concerts every lunchtime until the end of the summer and boasts a varied and original programme with soloists, orchestras, chamber ensembles, instrumentalists and singers. They include international artists, both seasoned and rising talents. Although the concerts are free, participation to financial costs is welcomed. 15 July to 29 August 12.15-13.00, Tuesday-Friday, Museum of Fine Arts, Rue de la Régence 3

The René Magritte Museum’s summer programme includes a temporary exhibition, guided tours and the presentation of a ‘Bergère’ armchair in the home of the late Surrealist master. This Bordeaux-coloured velvet chair can be spotted in a 1942 amateur film by Magritte. Meanwhile, the current exhibition shows paintings and gouaches by Félix Labisse, a surrealist artist who received little recognition during his lifetime. Guided tours: 24 July & 14 August (in Fr); 21 August (in NL). Wednesday to Sunday (reservations necessary at weekends), Rue Esseghem 137 (Jette)

Autoworld hosts its Cars & Coffee event on with a fine display of Japanese cars in the Esplanade. The activity accompanies its current exhibition Big in Japan, which traces the country’s automotive history through historic cars, sports and supercars and racing cars. 12 July (10.00-14.00), Cinquantenaire Park 11

Bozar Rooftop is a pop-up destination with performances, music, family events and afterwork events atop the iconic building. The theme of this year’s venue is The Forest in the Sky’, which transforms the Horta building into a suspended, lively, vibrant landscape. The programme also echoes the arts centre’s current exhibition on African figurative painting When We See Us. Local brewery BBP serves craft beers and food is also available. Until 28 September, Wednesday to Sunday 16.00-23.00, Rue Ravenstein 23

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Forest Therapy is the practice of slowing down, awakening the senses and reconnecting with ourselves and with nature. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing), it is a science-based framework which supports physical, mental and spiritual health and wellbeing. The practice also holds space for healing and nourishing experiences to arise. Certified forest therapy guide, George Biesmans, is leading three Forest Therapy walks in the Tervuren Arboretum this month. They are free and donations are welcome. Click here to find out more and sign up. 9 & 11 July, 18.00-21.00, Tervuren

This musical odyssey – spanning the Renaissance, Baroque, Bulgarian polyphony and Scandinavian dances – boasts a picturesque backdrop with magical old stone churches, priories and fortresses along the Mosane valley serving as concert venues. For its 49th edition, the Festival de l’Été Mosan proposes 16 concerts with a special focus on early music. Among the invited musicians are Les Les Muffatti and Sophie Karthäuser, Vox Luminis (pictured), Ricercar Consort, Clematis, Trio Talweg, Les Folies Françaises, Lorenzo Gatto, Bernard Foccroulle, The Curious Bards and Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares. 13 July to 31 August, locations along the Meuse valley (Liège and Namur provinces)

There’s a holiday air in the centre of Louvain-la-Neuve. Instead of throngs of students, the university town is home to Louvain-la-Plage, ideal for lazy summer days and entertainment, including concerts on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Enjoy the sandy stretch with its palm trees, parasols, deckchairs, beach games, a bouncy castle and plenty of other outdoor activities for all ages. Until 31 July 10.00-midnight (beach games end at 20.00), Grand Place, Louvain-la-Neuve

Leuven tells it like it is with the aptly titled summer festival Het Groot Verlof (the big holiday). The city puts on all kinds of entertainments, all absolutely free. These range from the simple Picnic in the Park (20 July) and open-air cinema to a packed programme of concerts, including Red Sebastian and Daan. In the midst of all this is the four day M-idzomer music and culture festival (31 July-3 Aug). Kicking off proceedings is the music festival Beleuvenissen on 11 July. 11 July to 8 August, across Leuven

While strip albums and graphic novels always garner attention in Belgium, Knokke-Heist’s annual Cartoon Festival is dedicated to one-off comic strips or single-pane cartoons that hold their own as an individual work. This year’s edition is themed ‘laughter’ and brings together two exhibitions. The Golden Hat boasts no fewer than 2,535 cartoons by 601 artists from 65 countries; an impressive testament to the global relevance of humour. Meanwhile, Press Cartoon Belgium blows out 25 candles this year with celebrations including an annual selection of the most impressive political cartoons from the Belgian press. There are also fringe activities for all ages. Until 29 August, across Knokke-Heist

Tickets are still available for LaSemo festival in the bucolic setting of the domain of Enghien castle. One of the season’s most eco-friendly and accessible gatherings, it promises a quality musical line-up: Mika, Feu!, Chatterton, Ghinzu, Santa, MC Solaar, Acid Arab and more. There’s also street theatre, kids’ activities and other events to keep everyone happy. Different campsites cater for different audiences: family, festive, quiet... Note: This is a cashless festival. 11-13 July, Parc d’Enghien, entrance via Avenue Elisabeth or Chaussée Brunehault, Hainaut

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: (main image) courtesy AfroDisiacs festival; courtesy VlaanderenFeest!; courtesy Detours Festival; courtesy Estivales Woluwe; courtesy René Magritte Museum; Eté Mosane Vox Luminis ©Marieke Wijntjes; Knokke Cartoon Festival ©Galym Boranbayev - Kazachstan