A literary festival without books, city walks without the tourist highlights and art without fear of entry: Antwerp surprises again.
1—Tongues of fire
After its start in December, the ‘Verse Fire’ literary festival is back with a second edition. The initiative of literary production house Vonk & Zonen brings together more than thirty names in the fantastic setting of the Blikfabriek. You will not find books there, but you will find a mix of literary experiences – crossovers with music, dance, visual arts and film. In addition to performances on the main stage, in the jazz bar, the studio, the winter garden and the foyer, there are also two caravans with one-on-one acts (such as Tülin Erkan’s coffee grounds lectures), poetry in the foot bath, a drag show and a real rooftop sauna. Spinvis, Ikraan, Nele Needs a Holiday and And They Spoke in Anthems, among others, will be present and Maud Vanhauwaert will present the longest audio poem of all time. Still on the bill: Instagram poet Billie Vos and the Poetic Powerpoint Presentation by Lotte Lola Vermeer. The final event will be the dance party. And all without going hungry thanks to two food trucks and a large canteen (including our own fresh fire beer).
May 25 from 3 p.m., Blikfabriek, Krugerstraat 232. More information and tickets via sparkenzonen.be
2—Neighborhood explorer
Bazaar Trottoir made a name for itself in Brussels with an extensive range of slightly different city walks and is now also in Antwerp. They guide you through lesser-known neighborhoods and show what is happening today with attention to the urban, the alternative, the social and economic. The aim is to connect walkers with the city by discovering it in a different way. This makes the discovery tours equally interesting for those who thought they knew the city well. In Antwerp, the Ecobazaar Berchem route leads past the sustainable pioneers and green places of the creative district. With Street Baz’art Centrum you can spot street art in the Sint-Andries district and the neighborhoods around it.
You can book in a group on an available date of your choice (220 euros per group for two hours of walking fun), bazaartrottoir.be
3—Inside rocker
Antwerp Art Weekend – the ‘open days’ of art studios, galleries, museums and everything in between – is preparing for a festive tenth edition. Four days filled with exhibitions, events, activities and parties at more than 70 locations.
May 16 to 19. The program will be unveiled during the month of April via antwerpartweekend.be
