Cultural Compass: Asterix celebration, Art x Peace conference, spring in winter and more
Exhibitions, music, architecture, books, festivals… this is Belga English's pick of cultural activities in Flanders and Brussels, published every Sunday.
In honour of Asterix’s 65th anniversary, the Comics Art Museum in Brussels presents a special exhibition dedicated to Dogmatix, the tiny but brave canine companion of Obelix. This is Dogmatix’s first solo showcase, tracing his journey from a minor mention in Le Tour de Gaule d'Astérix to his starring role in the animated series Idéfix et les Irréductibles. Visitors can explore his evolution through original boards, archival materials and interactive displays.
The Art x Peace Conference is dedicated to harnessing the power of art and culture to foster peace and dialogue. Taking place from 12-14 December in Brussels, it unites artists, activists, educators, policymakers and researchers to explore how creative expression can build bridges and overcome divisions.
Highlights include a special screening of Connecting...: Directed by Idro Seferi, this film examines cultural collaboration between Kosovo and Serbia, showcasing the resilience of artists and activists in challenging environments. Screenings will be held at the European Parliament and Muntpunt ibrary, followed by panel discussions featuring the director, festival organisers and peace advocates.
This winter, Museum Hof van Busleyden invites visitors to explore the beauty of Renaissance gardens in Eternal Spring: Gardens and Tapestries in the Renaissance. The exhibition highlights 16th-century Flemish tapestries, celebrated for their monumental size, intricate details and use of precious materials like gold and silk. These masterpieces depict lush, ordered gardens, embodying humanity’s desire to shape nature and preserve its fleeting beauty.
At the heart of the exhibit is a series of tapestries once displayed in the Brussels palace of Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle, a controversial Habsburg statesman and art collector. Now part of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, these tapestries form an allegorical garden reflecting Renaissance ideals and a fascination with antiquity. The exhibition also features other treasures from de Granvelle’s collection, including paintings, sculptures and rare books.
The renovated museum gardens complement the display, creating a seamless connection between art and nature. The exhibition runs from 14 December until 15 March.
Inspired by Antwerp fashion designer Jan-Jan Van Essche's 2025 spring-summer collection, Khayal, MoMu delves into his world, offering a glimpse into his past, present and future with A Time and Place for Everything.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 2003, Van Essche founded his label in 2010, based at Atelier Solarshop, a space he shares with Pietro Celestina. His designs reject restrictive Western tailoring, instead embracing freedom of movement and inclusivity. Crafted from artisanal, natural-fibre fabrics, his garments offer space for self-expression while encouraging conscious awareness.
The exhibition focuses on 10 key silhouettes, showcasing his material-first approach and signature layering, balanced proportions and expertise in pattern design. Highlights include his use of natural pigments, especially indigo, and the global collaborations that shape his creative process.
The Damiaan Museum in Tremelo is hosting an exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of the Damien Foundation, a Belgian medical NGO dedicated to combating leprosy, tuberculosis and other diseases affecting vulnerable communities.
Founded in 1964 and inspired by the priest Father Damien, who ministered to the sick in Hawaii in the 1800s, the organisation has tirelessly worked to improve lives across the globe. The exhibition traces this journey through images, campaign posters and unique artefacts, showcasing six decades of dedication to building a better world.
The exhibition will run for two years.
Additional cultural coverage from Belga this week: Brussels to celebrate its Art Deco heritage in 2025, Two Rare René Magritte Sketches Discovered in Brussels, Unique tapestry from 1530 brought back from London to Brussels, 30th edition of Short Film Festival Leuven offers focus on Palestinian stories, Brussels Jazz Festival to mark 10th anniversary with special edition, Bruges entrepreneur creates garments for Notre-Dame reopening celebration
Ongoing events
Whats the Story? KMSKA
Emile Claus: The Prince of Luminisim, Mudel Museum of Deinze
Alechinsky, Pinceau Voyageur
Cindy Sherman, ENSOR 2024, FOMU
Masquerade, Make-up and Ensor, MOMU
Ensor's States of Imagination, Plantin-Moretus Museum
In Your Wildest Dreams: Ensor Beyond Impressionism, KMKSA
Margaret of Parma, MOU
Alternative Narrative, MSK
Lucy McKenzie Super Palace, Z33
René Magritte X Emily Mae Smith, Magritte Museum
The Panamarenko House
Panamarenko’s Magic Carpet, S.M.A.K.
Women of Paper, Biekorf Library in Bruges
(MOH)
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