8 things to do in Liège, Brussels, Bruges, Rillaar, and Silly, from art exhibitions in forests to psychedelic music festivals. See you there!

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Closing week: We will miss U at See U

From 24 to 28 August Brussels

Over the last four years, See U, the country’s largest temporary occupation project, established itself as one of the most vibrant multi-use cultural venues in the city, and a popular summer outdoor hangout. The closing week’s program in the former military barracks is as varied as ever, saying goodbye with a bang: There’ll be a last Roller Together and an open air film screening on Friday, a Cider festival and a Pétanque tournament on Saturday, and of course food trucks, concerts, DJs, and more. Have a look at the full schedule here.

Art festival: Konvooi 2022 at Het Entrepot

From 25 to 28 August Bruges

Industrial harbor turns art venue – Bruges’ dockyards are injected with a second life this week by multidisciplinary art festival Konvooi. For four days, brutal architecture and intimate art collide – day and night. The Thursday kick-off perfectly sets the tone with performance, live music, tea ceremonies, a rooftop breakfast and a sunrise choir. The full program, which includes workshops, talks, concerts, exhibitions, and more, can be accessed here. There’s even a campsite, for those who want to make the most of it! 

Guided tour: Michel d’Oultremont at Bois de Silly

Wednesday, 24 August, 18h00 Silly

Belgian wildlife photographer Michel d’Oultremont, whose work is fueled by a passion for nature and animals, currently exhibits in a rather unlikely setting: in the midst of the greenery of the Bois de Silly. Without causing any damage to the trees, the scenography thought up by Sébastien Boucherit lets visitors discover the unretouched shots of coyotes or foxes floating above the ground in a natural environment. This Wednesday, the artist himself invites everyone interested on an artistic walk through the forest.

Opening: Inside India at Espace 251 Nord

Opens Friday, 26 August, 18-21h00 Liège

Liège’s Espace Nord 251 and Modesti Perdriolle Gallery team up for a fascinating group exhibition putting forward six different Indian artists. The Brussels-based gallery, which celebrates its first birthday this September, sees itself as an advocate for the recognition of Indian craft heritage and its cultural and economic significance. “Inside India” brings together a selection from the contemporary Indian art collections of Maximiliano Modesti and Hervé Perdriolle, which includes pieces by pioneering Indian artist and founder of Jangarh Kalam, a new school of Indian art, Jangar Singh Shiya, Tantric Anonymous, the brothers Mayur & Tushar Vayeda,  Shine Shivan, known for his sculptural and performative works, T. Venkanna, the youngest artist featured in the Saatchi Gallery show The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today in London, and Acharya Vyakul, a major figure of tantric painting in modern India. Not to miss!

Opening: En Piste! at La Boverie

Opens Friday, 26 August Liège

Liège’s art museum La Boverie returns from its summer break with the 8th edition of En Piste!, bringing together all kinds of different galleries and art spaces from across the region. Given carte blanche, works of no less than 140 artists will be on show, shining a light on the diversity of current artistic creation united in one location. With Galerie Flux, Le Comptoir du Livre, Galerie Satellite, and many others.

Exhibition: (Un)common Values

Until 18 September Brussels

Since 1972, the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) has been building an art collection which today counts more than 2000 pieces. The exhibition “(Un)common Values”, on view until 18 September, is only the second time the public is being granted access. On the occasion of the collection’s 50th anniversary, NBB presents a large-scale exhibition featuring more than 40 artists, touching upon themes such as materialism, identity and emancipation. Plus, the building is a gem of its own: the show is taking place in the bank’s eye-catching, modernist counter hall.

Open air party: Hangar at Colonne du Congrès

Saturday, 27 August, 12-22h00 Brussels

Brussels project Hangar regularly puts on electronic music experiences in different industrial settings. This weekend it returns with a day edition located on the Esplanade de la Cité Administrative in the Belgian capital, with a line-up that includes Bibi Seck, Desiderata, DTM Funk, Eline Anne, and Toolate Groove. Last entry at 18h50 sharp!

Music festival: Down the Hill

26 and 27 August Rillaar

If you’re into spaced out psychedelic soundscapes and small-scale, intimate festivals, this is for you. This Friday and Saturday, “Down The Hill” presents two days of music with a 70s vibe, located on the grounds of an organic farmer. The organisers try to keep it as ecological as possible, (vegan) food trucks satisfy all tastebuds, a campfire enhances the cozy atmosphere, and the fact that there’s only one stage ensures that festival goers can experience every single concert without having to choose. Featuring Elephant Tree, Wolvennest, Atomic Vulture, and others.

Cover photo Annabella Schwagten