Tijs Vanneste presents a tattoo book at Boeken & Koeken in the plastic factory of Ravago (Arendonk)

The well-known TV maker, singer and tattoo artist Tijs Vanneste (45) from Dessel will present his latest book on Sunday. The tattoo shop for the popular culture festival Boeken & Koeken in Arendonk. The event takes place at a unique location: in the plastic factory of Ravago Production. No fewer than 2,500 visitors are expected.

Books & Cookies is a biennial festival that primarily revolves around literature and poetry, subtly flavored with drinks, cookies and other snacks. You can also enjoy live music and other art forms. The location of the festival is also part of the concept. The organizers always opt for an industrial setting with a rich local history. This time it is the factory of the international plastic company Ravago Production in Poederstraat.

Recycling of plastic waste

“We have mapped out a route of 1.2 kilometers through the factory,” says organizer Filip Stouten (60) of non-profit organization De Wildeman. “This is an exceptional opportunity to look behind the scenes at Ravago and see with your own eyes how plastic waste is recycled today using the most modern techniques into new raw materials for new plastic products.”

Well-known and unknown artists will show their work at numerous places along the route on the factory site in Arendonk, including the Flemish top photographer Lieve Blancquaert. But the star of the fifth edition of Boeken & Koeken is the Kempen multi-talent Tijs Vanneste, best known for his electro-pop hit See it dun and the successful TV programs The Kemping and Mr. Vanneste. He will publish his latest book in Arendonk The tattoo shop proposals, in which he pays tribute to the tattoo and the tattoo artist in his own typical way.

By bike

Boeken & Koeken takes place on Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ravago Production in the Poederstraat, at Brug 5 in Arendonk. The bar remains open until 7 p.m. 2,500 visitors are expected. “To make the festival as sustainable as possible, we ask that you come by bicycle as much as possible,” say the organizers.

Vzw De Wildeman is an association of volunteers that organizes about ten accessible and high-quality events every year around art, music, theater and comedy in Arendonk, for adults as well as for children, young people and people with disabilities. “Our goal is to bring more culture and life to our village,” says Filip Stouten of De Wildeman.

www.dewildeman.net