What’s on this week: 13 to 19 September

The contemporary season is officially open in the capital thanks to new initiative RendezVous - Brussels Art Week. Following the cancellation this year of Brussels Gallery Weekend, this first edition of RendezVous is a welcome event, offering openings, performances and get-togethers in 52 galleries, art institutions and studios across the city. They are divided into downtown, midtown and uptown locations in a useful map so that you can cram in as many art spaces as possible. Pictured: A Botanical Conversation at Harlan Levey Projects. 12-15 September, multiple locations

“New heritage” takes centre stage at Brussels Heritage Day this year. The event delves into the last 30 years of the 20th century – marked by social crises and political upheaval but also by inspired architecture and growing cultural diversity. The programme is massively varied, from a visit to the normally private areas of the House of Belgian Brewers to an LGBTQ-themed walk to a guided tour of the architecture along the North-South junction. There are more than 150 activities, all free. 14-15 September, across Brussels

Serving as a teaser to Molenbeek’s ambition to become a European capital of the culture, the annual MolenFest event puts on a display of dance, circus, music, theatre, debate, film and parties. Filling parks, squares, streets and stages across the municipality, this year’s edition shows off its diversity and culture under the banner of solidarity and generosity. Venues such as CinéMaximiliaan, Kaaitheater, Recyclart and the Circus School are all joining in. Until 22 September, multiple locations (Molenbeek-Saint-Jean)

It wouldn’t be September if there was no Bozar Opening Week. The mainstay of Brussels’ cultural life condenses the themes of its autumn season into 10 days of concerts, exhibitions, films and more. And the themes are easy for everyone to relate to this year: love, friendship and the social power of relationships. A VR project, talk and curated film series from multidisciplinary Thai artist Apichatpong Weerasethankul is one of the programme’s many highlights. 16-26 September, Rue Ravenstein 23

More than 30 world cuisine food trucks gather in Auderghem for the Brussels Food Festival this weekend. All selected for their quality and originality, the global cuisine fiesta presents tasty dishes that can be enjoyed in a giant terrace set up for the culinary feast. Three bars will be serving drinks and there’s musical accompaniment. Free entrance. 13-15 September, Friday 18.00-23.00; Saturday 11.00-23.00; Sunday 11.00-21.00, Boulevard du Souverain 183 (opposite Auderghem cultural centre)

Chefs from all over Belgium will be coming together to serve diverse plant-based dishes at the 7th edition of the Vegan Street Festival. Organised by Vegan Brussels, the event aims to show all food lovers “that you don’t have to deprive yourself of anything to adopt a more animal-friendly, planet-friendly and healthy lifestyle”.  As well as culinary delights, the festival offers workshops, ranging from free yoga classes to cooking demonstrations, with chefs and nutritionists sharing their knowledge about vegan cuisine. 14 September 10.00-22.00, Marché aux Poissons

While Brussels Design September roves around the capital this month, Sablon Design Market is a separate event dedicated to vintage and design and well worth a stroll around. Some 30 designers are selling home decor, jewellery, fashion and art for the 7th edition. There something for every budget and an inspiring and diverse selection. Special guest is Alexandra Morel from TV show ‘Affaire conclue’ who will be presenting her selection of custom jewellery, bags and luxury accessories. Musical vibes on Friday from 15.00 to 21.00 come courtesy of French Nebulah Radio’s live DJs. 13-15 September Friday 15.00-21.00, Saturday 9.00-21.00, Sunday, 9.00-18.00, Place du Grand Sablon

Celebrated photographer Stephan Vanfleteren was asked to put forward another Belgian with which to share exhibition space at Hangar. He chose Nathan Mbouebe, and it’s easy to see why. Mbouebe’s colourful photographs reveal the special qualities of people he comes across in everyday situations, while Vanfleteren does the same with generally well-known people, nearly always in black and white. Paired, the shows perfectly illustrate how varying styles of portraiture reach the same goal: Engaging the physical to uncover the soul. Mbouebe until 10 November, Vanfleteren until 21 December, Place du Chatelain 18 (Ixelles)

It is always a treat to visit the Horta Museum and now its beautiful rooms are graced with the work of five textile artists who were asked to decorate the walls with velvet. The exhibition Smooth as Velvet is a collaboration with Arles-based Florence and Martine Moulis, who create sabre-cut velvets, and Kortrijk’s Van Neder weaving mill. Tour the boudoir, breakfast room, family room and kitchen and discover giant glass cubes filled with velvety red bobbins, specially decorated tram seats and even a velvet-curtained puppet theatre with tiny silver figurines. The great man himself, Victor Horta, loved textiles, especially silk and velvet furnishings. 13 September to 30 June, Musée Horta, Rue Américaine 27 (Saint-Gilles)

What do you actually remember of the past? That is the question posed by Agnès Geoffray (1973) in Warriors – black and white photographs celebrating women with a fighting spirit. Renowned gallery Contretype is showcasing Geoffray’s strong staring women, clenched hands and faces printed with defiant words like ‘I am a monster and I’m proud of it’. And there’s humour too – don’t miss ‘The leaning woman’. Until 17 November, Cité Fontainas 4A (Saint-Gilles)

The Botanique concert and arts centre is showing new, free exhibitions. Downstairs, in corridors once graced by goldfish ponds, Of Thread and Nature features flying carpets, fine embroidered textiles, Art Nouveau stained glass and even human hair hanging from the ceiling in this show created by six young female textile artists. Highlights include a beautifully worked ‘cocoon’ and a stunning, red and green woollen wall hanging. In the upstairs gallery, Narcosis is even wackier – with mediums speaking to you in a video installation, a mesmerising ‘pool’ on the floor and a large, upturned twig. Until 27 October, Le Botanique, Rue Royale 236 (Saint-Josse)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The annual Fêtes de Wallonie are celebrating their 101st edition in towns and cities across the region. As well as free outdoor concerts in public squares and spaces, the programme includes colourful traditional folklore, such as messes held in Walloon dialect, jousting on stilts (échasseurs, pictured) and official ceremonies. The main hub for Les Wallos is the regional capital Namur with musical stages set up around the city. There’s also a packed programme in Charleroi, Liège, La Louvière and other towns. Warning: crowds are habitually dense, the pekèt will be flowing and Walloon songs ringing out. Until 16 September, across Wallonia

Celebrating the outdoor life, Passion Robinson is an annual event at the Chevetogne provincial domain that appeals to anyone who has dreamed of a Robinson Crusoe life. Gathering experts and suppliers of cabins, tiny houses, yurts, wagons, tree tents and other eco-friendly accommodation, visitors can discover how they could turn their fantasies into reality, without being stranded on a tropical island. 14-15 September 10.00-18.00, Rue des Pîrchamps, Ciney (Namur)

Usher in autumn among the tens of thousands of pumpkins used to create all sorts of fun figures on the grounds of Groot-Bijgaarden Castle. There’s a circus theme at Pumpkimania this year, so expect tigers, elephants and clowns (who are even freakier when made of pumpkins). There’s also pumpkin soup, fries and other treats, and on weekends, you can try your hand at carving a pumpkin and ride in the pumpkin boat. 19 September to 3 November, Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5, Groot-Bijgaarden

The first phase of the Rubens House renovation is complete! In keeping with the spirit of Pieter-Paul Rubens’ publicly accessible hub of cultural activity on the same site as his home and studio, a modern new entrance has been constructed, which leads to a lush garden, a reception centre, an open-air gallery, an extensive library and research facility and the Rubens Experience – a multimedia journey through the man’s life and work. A program of concerts, theatre and workshops celebrate the opening this month. The artist’s actual house – with the historical entrance intact – is still closed for renovations until at least 2030.

Scottish or not, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy during Scottish Weekend at the Alden Biesen castle domain. The first day is dedicated to the Pipe Band Championship and Highland Dance competition, while the Highland Games takes over on day two. There’s also a Highland Games for kids, Scots and Viking encampments, sword and wrestling demonstrations, storytelling, a market and live performances. 14-15 September, Kasteelstraat 6, Bilzen (Limburg)

Promising quality music in the relaxed and bucolic setting of a Walloon Brabant village, the 9th edition of the Max Festival looks to Vivaldi recomposed by Max Richter, Richard Strauss, Schoenberg, Debussy, Satie, Ravel and Chopin for inspiration in its chosen theme of ‘Metamorphoses’. Concerts by soloists with the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, family musical show, masterclasses, talks and walks fill the eclectic programme in the acoustically-brilliant church of Saint-Martin in Tourinnes-la-Grosse. 12-15 September, Place Saint-Martin, Tourinnes-la-Grosse

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

Photos: (main image) A Botanical Conversation ©Harlan Levey Projects, photo: Adriaan Hauwaert; courtesy MolenFest; Bozar ©Theater Commons Tokyo '24, photo by Shun Sato; Manolis Glezos Greek Partizan 2014 ATELIER dig©Stephan van Fleteren; Smooth as velvet 2024 Horta Museum, Thomas Lancz; @ Agnès+Georffray tout geste est renversement; cosmogony 2023 tissage et broderie camber van bossel; Rubens House ©Jeroen Broeckx