PRESS KIT
Brussels, 30 September 2016
MIXITY.brussels 2017, a theme year demonstrating that the world’s heart beats in Brussels
As a «world city» Brussels represents openness, friendliness and freedom to many. Its residents are proud of their diverse city and its 183 nationalities at the heart of Europe and the whole world.
Many Zinnekes[1] call it home: people of every color come from everywhere and speak a multitude of languages. This constant mixing was instrumental in forging its values and identity.
MIXITY.brussels will highlight this little oasis of diversity throughout the year 2017. An opportunity to honour the common values that contribute to the multiple identities of Brussels; in particular, the chance for everyone to speak and create a space where this diversity can be expressed in its rich variety
MIXITY.brussels is a major project introduced through the concerted action of ministers of four Belgian public authorities and geared toward all residents, visitors and lovers of the Brussels Region. It’s a joint initiative of a kind not seen since the 2000 «Brussels, European Cultural Capital» campaign. From January through December 2017, visit.brussels will coordinate and spotlight many Brussels projects in active cooperation with the cultural and socio-cultural spheres in Brussels. Their common denominator: all will convey the rich and diverse dynamic that characterizes European Capital.
Contents
1. MIXITY.brussels 2017 events 2
2. The MIXITY.brussels project 5
3. Brussels, a story of diversity written in its DNA 6
4. Neighbourhoods: an anatomy of Brussels identity 7
5. MIXITY Awards 8
6. Press information 8
1. MIXITY.brussels 2017 events
Throughout the next year, several major events will punctuate and colour Mixity.brussels 2017. Each will feature a different perspective on diversity that will be detailed in all its glory: cultural, religious, sexual, historical, artistic...
First, MIXITY.brussels 2017 created six major events from scratch for this theme year; these eclectic projects will be done mainly in concert with the cultural and socio-cultural world of Brussels. Second, six large existing events that represent diversity in Brussels will be incorporated into the rainbow of MIXITY.brussels 2017: the Couleur Café festival, the opening of the House of European History, the «Islam, is also our history,» the Belgian Pride, the reopening of the Royal Museum of Central Africa, and an exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Belgium.
- New MIXITY.brussels 2017 events
As an introduction, three months prior to the kick-off of the, " HELLO MIXITY " theme year, the concert was scheduled for 30 September and geared towards setting the tone with all local and international visitors about the content of MIXITY.brussels 2017. The introduction called upon everyone, regardless of cultural, religious, ethnic, or sexual affiliation, to unite around this common theme for a festive and open-minded evening.
Once the theme year begins, five other major events are scheduled.
MIXITY WALL - April/June 2017
Eight diversity-themed frescoes will appear on abandoned walls in eight Brussels districts. "Worldwide Brussels", " Expat Brussels”, "Multilingual Polyglot," and " Intergenerational Brussels" are just a few of the themes on which the artists will have the opportunity to freely express themselves. The frescoes will be completed between April and June 2017.
MIXITY SINGS or unity in diversity - April/June 2017
Brussels-area choirs from backgrounds as varied as La Monnaie, Bozar, Jacques Franck, O les Choeurs, and Polyfolies to name a few, will gather around a common denominator, a musical phrase that everyone can adopt and adapt. This melody, written by Schaerbeek composer Peter Spaepen will be the leitmotif for the many events that will spring up starting in April 2017.
There will be urban outings that will engage passers-by in Brussels as well as concerts from each choir, including, among other things, a major performance on Sunday, 7 May 2017 at Palace Square during the Iris Festival. During this event, choirs with distinct sounds will join forces, accompanied by an Orchestra conducted by Dirk Brossé.
MIXITY HIP HOP - Summer 2017
During the summer of 2017, Bozar will host a retrospective recounting the history of hip hop in Belgium, accompanied by frequent live performances. At the same time, the Region will be the scene of urban activities thanks to the involvement of local associations. This programme will also operate in conjunction with the CBAI (Brussels Centre for Intercultural Action).
MIXITY183 - Summer 2017
An artist will let his imagination run wild and create a portable building evoking the Tower of Babel to highlight the 183 nationalities that call Brussels home. It will be a showy and diverse beacon of a monument. The work will travel all around the Brussels Capital Region during the summer of 2017.
MIXITY TRAM, a tram named MIXITY
A line 44 tram connecting Montgomery to Tervueren will transform into a rolling museum of Brussels' diverse history. A digital trip will be offered through a free smartphone app. This cultural interlude will be the ideal way to begin a visit to the Royal Museum of Central Africa, located at the terminus in Tervueren.
Founded in 1968, line 44 is known for its passage through a portion of Soignes Forest and is, as such, considered one of the most beautiful lines of the STIB network.
- Existing events and exhibitions
Opening of the House of European History – Spring 2017
The main focus of the permanent exhibition will be on European history and European integration until the present, viewed from a broad historical perspective and bringing together contrasting experiences of Europeans in history. The House of European History aims to convey a transnational overview of European history, taking into account its diverse nature and its many interpretations and perceptions. For this all resources are available: permanent, but also temporary and traveling exhibitions, a collection of objects and documents illustrating the history of Europe, educational programs, cultural events and publications, a broad spectrum of content online, and in addition also a museum café and shop.
Info: www.europarl.europa.eu/visiting
Islam, It's also our History ! – Spring 2017
This touring exhibition strives to ease understanding of the Other and the foundations of civilisation.
Islam, it’s also our history! is structured around one key message: Muslim settlement in Europe is as old as Islam itself and goes through cycles of expansion and retraction. The exhibition highlights the shared spiritual and intellectual origins of Muslim and European civilisations (i.e. their Abrahamic heritage) and demonstrates that while relations between them have been conflicted over the centuries, the two civilisations have influenced and enriched one another. At the end of the day, Europe and Islam have a real shared history, with each stage of their journey together having both a light side (mutual understanding, artistic inspiration, reciprocal influences) and a dark side (conflicts, boundaries, integration problems).
The exhibit revolves around four periods and three legacies: the Arab legacy handed down by mediaeval Europe, the Ottoman legacy, the colonial legacy, and Europe and Muslims today.
The exhibition’s contemporary, accessible approach opens the door to a rich emotional and intellectual experience that marries museum artefacts with everyday objects, ancient art with contemporary works, multimedia displays with more conventional backdrops, music and scenographic installations.
Belgian Pride – 19, 20 and 21 May 2017
In 2017, The Belgian Pride will organise nothing less than the 22nd edition of the Pride.be. This is the biggest celebration of diversity that takes place in Brussels and it does not only unite the people from Brussels, but all Belgians and a lot of international guests under the colours of the rainbow flag! Where the Pride.be started 22 years ago as a small manifestation of 2000 people that defended the equality of rights for LGBT-people, she grew out to be the biggest event of inclusivity and diversity known in Brussels. She succeeds year after year in uniting tens of thousands of people to take to the streets and defend the equality of rights and treatment of everyone, regardless of the gender identity, colour of their skin, age, origin, sexual orientation, social class,…
Moreover, she involves the entire city. The event is reflected in cultural programs, youth organisations and schools work towards the event, sport clubs organise special events in her wake,…
The Belgian Pride mirrors the beauty and richness of the potpourri of cultures, ideologies and communities that make up Brussels. She is the event par excellence during which this diversity comes to life in a resplendent way.
Where: centre of Brussels
Info: www.pride.be
Belgium: a safe haven ?– 15 September 2017 – 18 February 2018
Whatever the reasons to leave may have been, each emigrant leaves their comfort zone in the hope of a better future.
Belgium has become a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of emigrants who have come alone or with their families, for economic, social or political reasons. What made them leave? Why did they choose Belgium? How were they welcomed? How were their first months and years in the country? How did migratory policy evolve along the years?
This exhibition will trace the successive waves of immigration in Belgium from the dawn of the twentieth century until today. Considering the news, the topic is crucially relevant: Europe is currently facing the largest migratory crisis since the Second World War. Therefore, it is essential to freshen up memories and to dive into the migratory past of Belgium.
Where: TBC
Reopening of the Royal Museum for Central Africa* – October 2017
After a three-year refurbishment, anticipation is mounting to see the finished result of the overhaul. A new pavilion will welcome visitors, and the museum's surface area will practically have doubled. The African Museum will be a place of remembrance of a shared colonial history, and will represent a dynamic platform for people of all cultures and generations to come together and converse. As part of MIXITY, several cultural partners will be preparing a specific programme to help shine the spotlight on Brussels' cosmopolitan essence.
* Beyond its role as a museum, the MRAC has always been a scientific institution whose great international renown stems from its expertise in Central Africa and its uniquely precious heritage that mostly comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, plus a host of other African regions. However, visitors tend not to realise the sheer magnificence of its collection as usually only 1% is on display.Lieu : Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080 Tervuren
Info : www.africamuseum.be
Couleur café – 30 June - 2 July 2017 (dates TBC)
Couleur Café is Belgium’s finest urban & black roots music festival. For its 28th edition expect nothing less than the best hip hop, soul, reggae, raga, dub, pop, dance and funk the planet has to offer on 5 or more stages. The world food restaurants, marching bands, dance workshops, beautiful cocktail bars and DJ’s create a truly unique cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Part of the 60 000 visitors – a colourful and diverse audience reflecting the diversity in Brussels - can stay on the comfortable camping next to the festival site. More info on www.couleurcafe.be or via facebook. First names will be announced in February 2017.Lieu à confirmer.
Where: TBC
Info: www.couleurcafe.be
The theme year will aim to link these projects under the banner of diversity and unite all of the communities around the common values of Brussels.
- The other projects put in the colors of MIXITY
Brussels is the proud witness of thousands of events happening each year around various themes and arts. A significant number of these events can naturally be claimed as "Mixity", because they incorporate all the values that the theme year wishes to promote. A special page of the site MIXITY is devoted to these events that make a step towards opening to religion, cultural, sexual or generational tolerance.
2. The MIXITY.brussels project
Brussels is the second most diverse city in the world, and the first in Europe, according to the 2015 World Migration Report. This is no surprise because more than half of the city’s population has origins extending beyond Belgium’s borders. Some 183 nationalities rub shoulders every day and just about every imaginable language can be heard in public places. The multicultural ferment is evidence of Brussels’ «superdiversity,» which makes a rich melting pot. In the end, there’s no such thing as the typical Brussels resident. People draw from their own roots and benefit from the collaborative multiculturalism of this urban environment.
And diversity is not just a matter of nationalities, far from it. Known for its broad- mindedness, Brussels is also committed to freedom of sexual orientation and has an LGBT community that expresses itself openly. Furthermore, accessibility for people with reduced mobility, the intergenerational context, and the coexistence of different religions provide even more examples of this ubiquitous diversity. This whole ecosystem has naturally made Brussels a crossroads city. This mix of everything, this melting pot at ease with itself, is something to be proud of.
These Brussels-specific character traits are reflected in the public domain as well as in tourist and cultural offerings. Cultural institutions, festivals and artistic events clearly play a prominent role; but they may also emerge from a neighbourhood, store, restaurant, religious building, café etc. Counting the number of different languages heard in a single bus on any Brussels route is a very enlightening challenge. The people of Brussels are accustomed to it.
In terms of art, creativity in the respect of differences fosters varied and boundless ambition. So Brussels has undoubtedly earned a place on the map of Contemporary Art destinations, as well as that of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and even Ethnic Art destinations; with respect to dance, one can just as easily attend a contemporary dance performance at the Mint as an improvised Hip-Hop show.
In a world too often marked by controversies about differences, it is good to remember that the respectful coexistence for which Brussels has been known for many years must more than ever remain a point of pride and a non-negotiable guide in continuing this image of a compelling region that brings people together and charming them. Brussels does not require a single cultural model but instead derives its strength from this (super) diversity. This is what MIXITY.brussels 2017 will highlight in particular throughout the theme year.