What’s on this week: 21 to 27 March

Multiple and printed images are showcased at the fifth edition of the Limited Edition Art Fair (LEAF), organised by the Boghossian Foundation. Renowned publishers and international galleries present a range of artworks, including offset prints, lithographs, etchings, serigraphs, prints, illustrations, ceramics and photographs. The event – aimed at celebrating the richness of print - also invites three artists who have produced B2 formatted works. 21-23 March, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67

A fire show will illuminate the Grand Place on Saturday evening and landmark public buildings – including the Atomium and the Bourse - will be plunged into darkness for Earth Hour. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) global initiative, created in 2007, raises awareness about the fight against climate change. “We invite all residents to participate: turn off your lights at home, enjoy a friendly hour by candlelight and thus demonstrate your commitment to a sustainable future,” said Frederik Ceulemans, Brussels alderman in charge of climate. 22 March 20.30-21.30, public buildings across Brussels and Belgium

Artists dedicated to depicting realistic and expressive pictures of wildlife entertain the public at the 10th edition of Animal Art Bruxelles 2024. The exhibition in the prestigious setting of Cercle Royal Gaulois presents some 35 contemporary painters, sculptors, photographers and artisans. 21-23 March, Rue de la Loi 5

Tour & Taxis music venue Le Baixu teams up with Nyanjalab.org to offer a brand new festival celebrating African music and culture.  Sauti za visiwa features artists from the African diaspora in Belgium under the banner of Future Memories. Among the musicians performing are singer and poet Soledad Kalza accompanied by virtuoso guitarist Sina Kienou in a fusion of jazz, rock and traditional music, and the Kabunga Quintet, which mixes traditional rhythms with contemporary influences. 20-23 March, Rue Picard 3 (located under the Ecole de Cirque)

The Brosella Spring Festival is a more intimate version of the popular summer edition that is staged at the the Atomium. A total of 10 bands will perform on two stages at LaVallée music hub, offering a snapshot of Belgian jazz. The line-up includes Kuna Maze, Julie Rains, Casimir Liberski, Blind Jo and Eve Beuvens.  20-22 March, Rue A Lavallée 39 (Molenbeek)

Vendôme Cinema hosts the third edition of the Contrechamps Film Festival, which is themed Black Atlantic. The programme of films about Black diasporas centred around the Atlantic ocean offers feature and short films, documentaries and fiction, thematic discussions, performances and opportunities for discussion with guests. Films include the documentary about a 1970s British funk band Getting It Back: The Story Of Cymande by Tim Mackenzie-Smith and L'Homme-vertige by Malaury Eloi-Paisley, a documentary set in Guadeloupe’s capital Point-à-Pitre. 21-23 March, Chaussée de Wavre 18 (Ixelles)

The Klara Festival enjoys its 20th edition exploring creative dialogues between different genres, from classical to jazz, gospel and new music. The Mont des Arts is transformed into an open-air stage on Saturday for a project celebrating the musical richness of Brussels. Meanwhile, Bozar hosts a performance of Finnish composer’s meditative and enigmatic work Stabat Mater by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop on 25 March as part of Poland’s EU presidency cultural programme. 20-30 March, Bozar, Flagey & other venues in the city

Registrations open on Saturday for the Bxl Tour, the urban bike race that invites semi-professionals and amateurs alike to pit their skills in the 40km trail. The 9th edition once again criss-crosses eight municipalities in the capital before a spectacular finish under the Atomium. More than a competition, the event is a celebration of cycling and mobility, reflecting Brussels as a city on the move, say organisers. 22 June, across Brussels (registrations open 22 March, 9.00)

Book now Ideas to Action Day Full Circle stages a full day of discussion and the creation of action paths in this spin-off of its annual Ideas Festival. Audiences can also join for half a day, participating in sessions exploring themes such as peace and security, democracy, social justice and climate. The community initiative concludes with a live podcast. 5 April 10.00-18.00, Chaussée de Vleurgat 89 (Ixelles)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Ghent’s Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) is highlighting one of Belgium’s most pioneering graphic artists of the first half of the 20th century, Ghent-born Jules De Bruycker (1870-1945). MSK’s overview of 150 drawings, watercolours and gouaches brings to life the swirling, expressive and at times imaginary world of this sometimes Bosch or Breughel-like artist-observer. De Bruycker’s myriad scenes of local markets, parades and carnival are delightful. He also pokes fun at people, Hogarth-style, as well as depicting life’s darker side. Notably, his phantasmagorical ghost-full prints denounce the madness of the First World War. Until 29 June, Fernand Scribedreef 1, Ghent

For Antwerp’s KMSKA, visual artist Hans Op de Beeck (Turnhout, 1969) presents the exhibition Nocturnal Journey. Here, he creates a deserted nocturnal park, where life-size human and animal sculptures alternate with images reduced and enlarged in scale, as if in a surreal dream. The characters reflect different life stages, emotions and rituals, while the animals and objects evoke more identifiable settings. All the works refer to different time periods and socio-cultural environments. Op de Beeck’s fascinating and often disturbing world, complemented by his three-minute Staging Silence film, can be explored further with tours, talks and workshops. Until 17 August, Leopold de Waelplaats (Antwerp)

The fourth edition of the Antwerp Spring Festival returns to the magical setting of Handelsbeurs with seven concerts. Audiences will be treated to a versatile and surprising programme that includes the National Orchestra of Lille and Casco Phil, promising soloists violinist Abigél Králik, a fado evening, a late night concert and the genre-breaking Luca Sestak Trio. In a first for the festival, an ensemble in residence is invited to perform: the award-winning Susato Trio brings Schubert into dialogue with Shakespeare's sonnets narrated by Stefaan Degand. 24-30 March, Borzestraat 31, Antwerp

Belgian industrial designer Lucile Soufflet shows off different facets of her work at Grand Hornu’s CID - center for innovation and design in the exhibition Common Grounds. The former mining site welcomes four of her benches – all painted in the colours of workers’ clothes – as well as a playground for children (pictured).  Inside the museum, she presents samples, models, fragments, sketches, photos, and souvenirs that all mingle creatively on her work table. Until 24 August, Grand Hornu, Rue Sainte-Louise 82, Hornu (Hainaut province)

Comedy festival Namur is a Joke returns to the Walloon capital for its fourth edition. Once again, tickets are flying out the door for the line-up of francophone comedy stars. If festival founder Guillermo Guiz’s show is already sold out, there are plenty of satellite events and afterworks that promise to be a lot of fun. 25-30 March, Le Delta, Grand Manège, Théâtre de Namur and other venues

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

Photos: (main image) LEAF ©Boghossian Foundation; Bxl Tour 2024 ©Milestone Productions; Jules De Bruycker, Carnaval (detail), 1922, Verzameling Janssens; CID Lucile Souflet, Playing, photo Caroline Dethier