What’s on this week: 20 to 26 September

Car-Free Sunday is Brussels-Capital Region’s annual day where two-wheelers reign and motorised vehicles are banned from streets. Public transport is free, meaning there is no excuse not to enjoy myriad activities around the capital, such as Bucolic Brussels – sheep galore and more in Brussels Park, the great Ixelles picnic and the third Women’s Bike Ride Brussels 2024. In addition, ‘mobility villages’ in several municipalities offer activities for all the family. The event is the highlight of a whole Mobility Week that oozes endless activities including Neder-over-Heembeek’s festive Tram 10 inauguration day, Forest’s Fêtes Médiévales and the Vendôme, Ixelles’ mobility film evening. Flanders and Wallonia celebrate too, with most cities hosting a Car-Free Sunday. So get on your bike, get walking and get active! Mobility Week 16-22 September, Car-Free Sunday 22 September, 9.30-19.00

The Grand Place is transformed into a whirligig of colour and costume during Folklorissimo this weekend. It will also be scene of traditional fanfares, music and games, among other activities celebrating not only city folklore, but traditions from around the world. It also includes an opportunity for the public to sing along to some folk songs. Refreshments and culinary specialities on sale. 21-22 September from 12.00, in and around the Grand Place

More than 4,000 people showed up last year for the Poetik Bazar, a testament to the cool, international program of this festival and market dedicated to poetry. Aside from picking up collections and illustrations from publishers from around Europe and Canada, you’ll hear poetry readings, performances and concerts, take part in workshops, go for a poetry walk and delve into the poetry of Turkey, the guest country this year. Entrance is free with registration. 20-22 September, Les Halles de Schaerbeek, Rue Royale Sainte-Marie 22

The launchpad for young emerging artists, ArtContest is showing works by 10 selected artists. On the eve of the opening of the exhibition, a jury chose three winners. First prize was awarded to Siemen Van Gaubergen (artwork pictured), in second place was Ellen Dhondt and in third, Xavier Duffaut. Meanwhile, admire the artwork of all the finalists, on display at the Maison des Arts, itself a Neoclassical architectural treasure. Nonprofit ArtContest aims to provide a platform and long-term support for young contemporary artists. Until 10 November, Maison des Arts, Chaussée de Haecht 147 (Schaerbeek)

The City of Brussels has launched a feminist soundwalk. Available in three languages, a smartphone and earbuds are all you need to (re)discover works in the Plug & Play Parcours Street Art route through music, interviews, soundscapes and voice-overs. The new tool promotes visibility to women in public space – from street and graffiti artists to architects and urban planners to poets and musicians. Highlights include Alba Fabre Sacristan’s tribute to Belgian film-maker Chantal Akerman, Fitore Alísdóttir Berisha's fresco 'Haunted', that illustrates the impact of femicide and Medianeras’s ‘Diversity’ that marks 20 years since same-sex couples were allowed to marry in Belgium. Free of charge and accessible in French, Dutch and English on all streaming platforms or via a QR code

What better setting for an exhibition on witches than an enchanting wood? Well Abracadabra – featuring the spellbinding work of 10 children’s illustrators from Kristien Aertssen (Prince Arthur et Princess Leila) to Michel Van Zeveren (Un jour, je serai une Sorcière) – is suitably housed in the green and leafy grounds of the Rouge Cloître. This special show aims to turn tired stereotypes on their head. Not all witches have big noses, pointed hats, a black cat and make spells or potions 24/7. We see images of witches as fairies, mothers or simply friends in this show that come complete with workshops, readings, spectacles and story tale walks. Until 17 November, Centre d’Art de Rouge-Cloître (Auderghem)

“This is not body painting, it’s painting on bodies,” Eric Ceccarini (1965) tells the Bulletin,  introducing his fascinating Painter’s Project. With perhaps a nod to Jackson Pollock and especially Yves Klein, this series of some 15 works aims to show the relationship between the photograph and painting. These sumptuous canvases of beautiful, brightly painted naked women – often overlaid with text – show “the relationship between model, painter and photographer,” Ceccarini says, adding: “My ambition has always been rooted in the desire to immortalise the essence and the soul of women.” See for yourself at the Ultra Asylum and/or Inside-Out gallery. 21-22 September, Rue Van Eyck 30; 25 September to 13 October, Rue Blaes 132

“Draw me a train” is something parents often say to their child – with trains symbolic of travel and fun. This spirit of adventure is brought to life at an exhibition celebrating the beauty of the railway world. Creations by big and lesser-known names from comic strip genius André Franquin to grandiose architect Santiago Calatrava are on show, some for the first time. Highlights include the museum’s designer François Schuiten’s Type 12 train prints, stunning works by surrealist train painter par excellence Paul Delvaux and the story of Victor Horta’s checkered journey to build Brussels Central station. Two original 1930s deep blue and green carriages designed by Henry van der Velde are the icing on the cake. They have been lovingly restored as part of the show, which, via four creative zones, invites the public to draw this fascinating universe too. Until 11 May, Place Princesse Elisabeth 5 (Schaerbeek).

‘Outsider art’ takes centre stage this autumn at Wolubilis cultural centre. The special selection of 15 new works realised from 2007 to 2024 in workshops at the Silex – an education, creativity and leisure centre set up in 1970 for young adults with a physical or mental handicap – reveals the artists’ skill and passion for their craft. Highlights include Serge Delaunay’s colourful Renault, Fabien Willeken’s diagrammatic Robot and Laurent Tihon’s portraits. Luc Bolle’s detail, use of colour and message of freedom in his flying man painting is particularly striking. 12-14 September, 9-12 October, Artothèque, 7B Place du Temps Libre, first floor (Woluwe-Saint-Lambert)

What’s better than a festival programme stuffed with whacky and beautiful theatre, music, circus, fashion, visual arts and eats? When it all takes place in historical and hidden sites. That’s Artonov in a nutshell, and it’s the 10th anniversary of the popular festival that puts arts and performances in Art Deco and Art Nouveau spaces. See living butoh legend Akaji Maro (pictured), for instance, perform among the Vanharents Art Collection in Dansaert. 26 September to 13 October, across Brussels

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Fifteen years, 15 days for free. That’s the idea behind anniversary celebrations at Leuven’s M museum, which is completely free every day for more than two weeks. It’s a great time to visit because the museum’s permanent collection of works from the Stone Age to the present have been given a completely new layout this year. Belgian artists of the late Gothic, Renaissance and 19th century are particularly well represented. 20 September to 4 October, Leopold Vanderkeleenstraat 28, Leuven

While Festival 20-21 is dedicated to classical music from the 20th and 21st centuries, the spirit of the old masters can still be felt: The festival kicks off with an adaptation of Schubert’s song cycle Die schöne Müllerin, commissioned from Belgian composer Daan Janssens (pictured). He has constructed an extraordinary sound world around the melodies, interspersed with texts by Portuguese poet Fernando Pesoa. It’s just the kind of wildly creative concert you can expect to fill up the rest of the festival’s programme. 23 September to 26 October, across Leuven

What would get you to attend a conference of talks by designers, visual artists and creative studios? Lots of food and cocktails? An arcade? The chance to get a tattoo? Fluorescent ping-pong? Us by Night has all that and more, turning the humdrum conference set-up on its ear. Talks give way at midnight to light shows and dance parties as well as the night market, set in a “misty Bangkok environment”. Don’t miss the massage parlour. 26-28 September, Waagnatie, Rijnkaai 150, Antwerp

Youth have taken over Ghent’s Fine Arts Museum, but fear not, the result is rather appealing. The city is the European Youth Capital this year, so MSK Gent features the exhibition Alternative Narrative, put together by youth collective Schoonvolk (Pretty People). They chose some 70 seldom-exhibited works from the museum’s substantial storage depot, paying particular attention to undervalued women artists and little-discussed themes. Their collection tells another story, an alternative history of art. 20 September to 26 January, Fernand Scribedreef 1, Ghent

Waterloo Historical Film Festival (WaHFF) presents premieres, cinema events, family shows and more, all shining a light on history via the medium of international film. If the lively Walloon Brabant town is synonymous for its history-changing 1815 battle, this film festival, now celebrating its 12th edition, is also focused on delving into the past while holding up a mirror to the present. Eight movies are being screened in an official competition, with a jury presided by director André Bonzel. The guest of honour this year is French director Jean-Marie Poiré. Opening the festival on Thursday evening is Louise Violet by French director Eric Besnard, while Monsieur Aznavour by Mehdi Idir and Grans Corps Malade closes the event. 19-22 September, Cinés Wellington, Chaussée de Bruxelles 165, Waterloo

Namur Concert Hall launches its new season with a concert by tenor Julian Prégardien and pianist Eric Le Sage (pictured) performing Schuman’s Dichterliebe and Grieg’s 6 Songs this Friday evening. The new classical music venue then hosts Jordi Savall and Le Concert des Nations for a programme of Schubert, Schumann and Bruckner on 28 September. Already reputed for its acoustic quality, the concert hall in a former 19th-century military barracks is located a brisk five-minute walk from the train station. 20 & 28 September, Rue Rogier, Namur

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

Photos: (main image) ©mobilityweek.brussels; Poetik Bazar 2023 ©Anne-Flore Mary & Samir Sam'Touch; Artonov ©Hiroyuki Kawashima; M Leuven ©Aurélie Geurts; Festival 20-21 ©Kurt Van Der Elst; Alternative Narrative ©Eliane De Meuse, 'Still Life with Red Shoes' ©Collection MSK Gent