Discover Benelux | Belgium | The Best Festivals & Events in 2016
A vibrant jazz festival in the heart of Brussels TEXT: BETTINA GUIRKINGER | PHOTOS: BRUSSELS JAZZ FESTIVAL
This January, the Brussels Jazz Festival will open its doors for enthusiasts of all ages in the iconic Art-Deco building of Flagey to warm up the hearts of its audience with smooth vibes. Following the huge success of the first edition, with nine out of ten concerts sold out, Flagey is going even bigger and better for their second edition of a Brussels Jazz Festival. “This year the objective is to offer a very diverse programme, inviting young talents as well as established names of the jazz scene to perform their latest songs,” explains programme manager Maarten van Rousselt. “We are proud to have Lisa Simone opening the festival with a selection from her second album My World, performing for the very first time in Brussels. The world-renowned Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen will also be there to
present his new album to the Belgian audience with the young Afghan-German singer Simin Tander. We’ll also have the great Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu and his Devil Quartet, and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra performing Celebrating Jacques Brel, in collaboration with David Linx, as some of the highlights of this edition.” An undoubtedly packed and exciting programme is complemented with a photography exhibition with pictures taken during last year’s edition, as well as a selection of films screened by Cinematek in the context of the festival, featuring films such as Just Friends by Wajnberg and Une heure de tranquillité by Leconte. www.flagey.be
Brussels Jazz Festival is held in Brussels from 13 to 23 January.
Celebrating unity through diversity TEXT: BETTINA GUIRKINGER | PHOTOS: BALKAN TRAFIK!
Balkan Trafik! festival is first and foremost an encounter between cultures, musical genres, cinema, dance performances and culinary authenticity. Taking place this April at Bozar in Brussels, this is the event of the season with Balkan beats, colourful costumes and more. For its tenth edition, Balkan Trafik! celebrates the multicultural richness of the Balkan region through exceptional performances and encounters with local artists. This unique atmosphere comes to life in the heart of Brussels in a colourful Tower of Babel, unique in its kind for those seeking something quite out of the ordinary. This year’s edition is going to bring an average of 20 concerts per day, complemented by diverse activities, workshops, discussions and films, many with the exclusive presence of their directors. Highlights include Frank London’s performance, who will introduce a 68 | Issue 25 | January 2016
new project in collaboration with a diverse group of Hungarian artists, as well as an original creation between Belgian-Tunisian artist Jawhar and the magnificent Hungarian Roma voice of Mitsoura. As usual, the festival will cross into different styles, from traditional to ethno-jazz and rock, and will present the best brass bands. Furthermore, expect the nights to close on a vibrant electronic note. “What we are trying to achieve with this festival is the encounter with ‘the other’. We live in times where there is great misunderstanding and fear around migration, and we want to counter that,” explains festival producer Nicolas Wieërs. It is certainly a unique opportunity for a four-day journey into a world of sound, colour and texture. www.balkantrafik.com Balkan Trafik! is held in Brussels from 14 to 17 April.