7 things to do in Belgium, from exhibitions in Turnhout and Antwerp to plant swaps and outdoor Yoga in Brussels. See you there!

Exhibition: Ria Pacquée at De Warande

Opens Sunday, 10 June Turnhout

You don’t have to live in Brussels or Antwerp do enjoy high-quality contemporary art exhibitions in Belgium. Turnhout’s De Warande regularly puts on intriguing shows, such as “Slam, Ramble, Perform” opening this Sunday. It looks back on the practice of pioneering Belgian performance artist Ria Pacquée, who regularly takes to the street and public places looking for answers to elementary questions of our existence, at times for performances and at other times armed with her camera.

Opening: The Summer Show at OV Project

Thursday, 7 June Brussels

Thought up by Olivier Vrankenne, o v project wants to provide a space for curiosity and critical thinking encompassing various disciplines and artistic languages while creating connections between artistic fields based on dialogue that goes beyond traditional art histories. This week sees the kick-off for a summer show on view till 20 July that brings together works by Etienne Courtois, Elias Hansen, Paul Lee, Bernd Lohaus and Richard Nonas.

Opening: 3 exhibitions at Axel Vervoordt

Saturday, 9 June, from 14-19h00 Antwerp

If you haven’t had the chance yet to check out Axel Vervoordt’s incredible new space in Antwerp that architecture magazines all over the globe have been raving about, then this week is a great opportunity to do so. On Saturday three new shows open in the giant disused distillery: Marco Tirelli, Sadaharu Horio and Masatoshi Masanobu.

Shopping: The Stocksales at Showroom 144

9 and 10 June, 11-18h00  Brussels

Showroom 144 was founded by Frank Pay earlier this year with the goal of  creating an innovative design shop featuring a mix of vintage and contemporary furniture, artisanal objects and art. The store only does official re-editions, working with labels such as Thonet and Ghyczy “because they combine quality, service and a passion for good historical as well as contemporary design”, as Pay puts it. This weekend your invited to Showroom 144’s very first stocksale with reductions up to 70%.

Greenery: The Plantswap #26 at Le Phare du Kanaal

Saturday, 9 June Brussels

Seeds, a Brussels-based initiative of three young plant lovers, wants to foster discovery, exploration and creation around the world of plants, bringing together people from all walks of life. On Saturday the projects hosts another edition of its super popular (and free!) plant swaps, this time at trendy La Phare café. Read our interview with the Seeds founders here.

Eat & drink: Vegan brunch at DOKkantine

Sunday, 10 June, 11-15h00 Ghent

There’s hardly a better place to hang out at on a sunny Sunday than Ghent’s vast DOK playground. Part of it is the DOKkantine, which not only provides shelter in the case of rain but also offers great food. This Sunday EVA Gent takes over the kitchen for a delicious vegan brunch featuring salads, cherry tomato pies, puff pastries filled with walnuts and mushrooms, roasted vegetables, coconut rice pudding, and much more.

Outdoor sports: Yoga in the Park at Parc du Cinquantenaire

Sunday, 10 June, 11h00 Brussels

Something for those who’re not too hungover on Sunday morning: if the weather is good, you can participate in a yoga class under the open sky with grass beneath your feet at Parc Cinquantenaire. Much better than being stuck in a stuffy studio!

Cover photo Sasha Vernaeve