Spain takes centre stage at next Europalia arts festival
The 2025 edition of the internationally acclaimed Europalia festival will focus on Spain and its arts. Europalia España aims to showcase Spanish culture while fostering closer cultural ties between Spain, Belgium and Europe.
The Brussels-based biennial festival, which runs from 7 October 2025 to 18 January 2026, will highlight Spain and its arts. The programme will feature more than 300 events, including around 20 exhibitions exploring political, environmental and social themes.
“Europalia examines the complex relationship between beauty and the grotesque in contemporary art, the power of art to critique society and the resilience of societies in the face of modern challenges,” say the festival organisers.
"Europalia represents hope and connection, proving the power of cultural diplomacy as a means to transcend political boundaries and egos"
Visitors will have the opportunity to discover Spain’s artistic giants, from Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes to Pablo Picasso, as well as numerous contemporary artists. Featured artists will include Candela Capitan, Cristina Garrido, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Maider Lopez, Félix Luque and Mercedes Peon.
One of the highlights will be an exhibition centred on Goya, offering “a profound artistic reflection on contemporary challenges and the essential role of art during times of crisis and transformation” through three series of Goya’s engravings.
Cultural diplomacy
The festival will also be multidisciplinary and decentralised, with events held across Belgium, including Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi and Liège. About 50 cultural partners will be involved, such as Bozar, KVS, KMSKA, Concertgebouw Brugge and SMAK.
Christian Salez, Europalia general manager, says the event is more than just a festival. “Europalia is more essential than ever in this divided world,” he said. “It represents hope and connection, proving the power of cultural diplomacy as a means to transcend political boundaries and egos.”
Europalia 2023 at Bozar in Brussel © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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