events by Stad Leuven

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 Leuven in Scène

You will find that Leuven is overflowing with high quality events of substance and other ways of spending your leisure time. We present below a selection of the major happenings for anyone who wants to stay fully informed, a free magazine ‘Uit in Leuven’ comes out every month and is available in a great many places. Use it, just pop in to Tourism Leuven or take a look at www.visitleuven.be.

Beleuvenissen 2

Cover image © Eric Dewaersegger

Events ARTEFACT-festival from Wednesday, 13 to Sunday, 24 February An annual festival for media art where the most impressive installations from both Belgium and abroad are consolidated in an all-encompassing exhibition.... The theme of this exhibition is urbanism. An impressive experience for you free of charge! You’ll also increasingly find the exhibition in the city (in cooperation with Het Depot, Artforum, etc.). Venue: STUK

PUZZLING AMERICA Thursday, 28 February and Friday, 1 and Saturday, 2 March This festival immerses you in various aspects of American music. Under the curatorship of composer-pianist Jeroen D’hoe, who lived in New York for five years, a whirlwind dialogue was created between concert music, musical theatre, mainstream, folk, jazz and a few “American”-inspired creations. Stimulating interviews and jazz and New Orleans club concerts complete the “puzzle”. Venue: Openbaar Entrepot voor de Kunsten (OPEK)

LEUVEN JAZZ from Thursday, 21 through Sunday, 24 March The 3rd edition of “Leuven Jazz” is just around the corner and 30CC is getting ready to give the jazz festival an extra boost, together with a number of local partners. You can once again expect a great mix of young talent and a selection of leading names from both home and abroad. The entire programme and tickets are available starting in February 2013. Various locations in Leuven

MOVE ME From Monday, 25 to Friday, 29 March; from Monday, 29 April to Friday, 3 May; from Monday, 21 to Friday, 25 October; and from Tuesday, 10 to Friday, 13 December

remarkable dance performances and lets you enjoy movement and whirling dance. The programme is supplemented with free display opportunities, introductions and follow-up discussions. Keep an eye on the website for the detailed programme.

International folk dance and music Easter festivities from Friday, 29 March through Monday, 1 April Easter egg throwing from the front of the town hall, the cutting up of the Paschal lambs, the peasants’ ball in the Rijschool and the festival mass in the St. Peter’s Church are established ingredients of this festival. The highlights are appearances by folk dance groups from Belgium and abroad.

Erfgoeddag Leuven: Stop de tijd! Leuven Heritage Day: Stop time! Sunday, 21 April

This 13th Heritage Day focuses on the relationship between time and cultural heritage. This edition gives the Leuven heritage organisations the opportunity to spread some light on the less visible side of their operations. There will be some special activities on the programme: behind-the-scenes tours, exhibitions, workshops, lectures, walks, etc. Come and experience this for free between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at various locations around the city. The entire programme is available as of the end of March at www.erfgoeddag.be and www.erfgoedcelleuven.be.

AMATEURAMA from Thursday, 25 through Sunday, 28 April In order to put the rich tradition and enormous presence of amateur arts in Leuven even more in the spotlight, the city has created a new festival for 2013. “Amateurama” is a four-day event full of cultural talent and a unique platform for the amateur associations. The programme is available starting in March 2013. Various locations in Leuven

STUK opens all dance registers four times per season. Move Me always presents the most 3

Circus & Co International circus festival Fridag 17 and Saturday, 18 May Leuven is a circus city and of this you will have no doubt during the 2nd edition of Circus & Co. Acrobats, clowns and jugglers will once more take over the city park and the Mgr Ladeuzeplein. Terrific stunts and phenomenal performances full of humour and poetry will bewitch visitors young and old.  Beleuvenissen

Zythos BierFestival 2013 Saturday, 27 April from noon to midnight and Sunday, 28 April from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The largest beer trade fair in Belgium and its surroundings is coming to the Brabanthal in Leuven for its 10th edition. Approximately 100 brewers will present some 500 beers. Exclusive brews, completely new beers and great classics to be tasted in glasses of 15 cl. Entry is free and a free shuttle service will run from Leuven Station.

Kunstroute-Leuven

Leuven World Festival

Saturday, 1 June The World Festival is an annual multicultural meeting place with a wonderful mix of musical performances, workshops, children’s animation and fringe events, an information market, world cuisine and a world market with objects from various continents. Each year is based on a specific theme and is organised by vzw Wereldfeest Leuven in collaboration with the city of Leuven and 30CC. Venue: park De Bruul

Art Trail-Leuven

De langste Dag Leuven

Sunday, 28 April, Wednesday, 1 May and Sunday, 5 May.

Saturday, 22 June

During Art-Trail Leuven, 40 Leuven artists and members of the artistic establishment will specially open their studio to the public between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. This is a unique chance to enter and explore the work environment of the artists. Workshop addresses and route planners are available free of charge at Tourism Leuven as of the end of March.

Internationaal Documentaire Filmfestival DOCVILLE DOCVILLE - International Documentary Film Festival

from Friday, 3 May through Saturday, 11 May In 2013, DOCVILLE will be presenting a choice selection of the best national and international documentary films of the past year for the 9th time running. The festival is held in various locations in the city centre of Leuven. All films are either in English or subtitled. The entire programme is available starting in April at www.docville.be. 4

Wereldfeest Leuven

The Longest Day Leuven

At the beginning of the summer, Leuven traditionally celebrates The Longest Day - a relaxing day of shopping and strolling in a lively giant flea market.

BeLEUVENissen Friday 5, 12, 19 and 26 July The 25th edition of this free music festival will again be held in 6 locations in the historic heart of the city. The programme includes national and international music in the open air on the Grote Markt, the Oude Markt, the Vismarkt, the Hogeschoolplein, the Mathieu de Layensplein and the Vounckplein.

Summer concerts Saturday: 6, 13, 20 and 27 July, 17, 24 and 31 August Performances by bands from Leuven and Flemish Brabant on the Grote Markt starting at 1:30 p.m.

Feestdag van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap - Vlaanderen Feest Holiday of the Flemish Community - Flanders celebrates

Wednesday, 10 July Each year Leuven celebrates the Flemish Holiday on the eve of 11 July. The programme starts with a speech on the importance of Flanders in Europe and a perspective on the future followed by a reception for all the Leuven residents. The evening finishes with a show in the centre of the city.

Meiboomplanting Raising the maypole

Friday, 9 August Every year, the ‘Mannen van het Jaar’ (Men of the Year) circle organises the raising of the maypole in front of the Town Hall. This must be done before 5:00 p.m., otherwise the privilege passes to Brussels, which has been disputing the right to raise the ‘true’ maypole with Leuven since time immemorial.

M-idzomer from Thursday, 1 through Sunday, 4 August The 4th edition of this sensual and unique summer festival. The impressive architecture of the museum building and cosy enclosed garden are still the perfect location for a contemporary event brimming with concerts, comedy, performance, dance, the spoken word and visual arts.

Hapje-Tapje & Barmannenrace Hapje Tapje & barman’s race

Sunday, 4 August Hapje-Tapje is a well-known one-day summer event for gourmets and epicureans. A culinary route with delicious snacks, drinks and loads of atmosphere leads them through the city centre. In addition, there is also a cooking demonstration with celebrity chefs and a healthy portion of music and animation, such as the traditional barman’s race.  Hapje Tapje

 Leuven September Fair

Leuven September Fair from Friday, 30 August to Sunday, 22 September 75 fairground attractions for young and old are gathered on the Mgr. Ladeuzeplein, the Herbert Hooverplein, the Oude Markt and the Martelarenplein. On Friday, 6 September 2013, you can enjoy the great fair fireworks in the city park at 10:30 p.m. 5

Flower carpet Saturday, 31 August to Monday, 2 September Every 2 years, the Belgian Nurserymen and Growers’ Federation lays out a 650 m2 carpet of begonias across the Grote Markt.

Abrahamviering

Commemoration of Abraham

Saturday, 31 August Between their 40th and 50th birthdays, the ‘Mannen van het Jaar’ (Men of the Year) organise all kinds of activities in and around Leuven, finally celebrating their 50th birthday with great splendour at the Commemoration of Abraham. (3:00 pm Municipal park - 4:30 pm sculpture ‘Fonske’ Rector De Somerplein)

Festival van Vlaanderen Vlaams-Brabant Festival of Flanders Flemish-Brabant

September and October The Festival of Flanders Flemish Brabant is organising 2 concert series at various locations throughout Leuven. NOVECENTO is offering 7 concerts with “classics” and unknown gems from the marvellously musical 20th century. TRANSIT creates and lets you hear music from the 21st century. Leading musicians from home and abroad, as soloists or in ensembles and orchestras, will be on all stages.

Annual market and cattle fair Monday, 2 September From 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you can stroll in the pedestrian city centre along the stalls with general market produce. There is a market fair in the shopping streets. The cattle market is held in the H. Geeststraat. The provincial cattle competition takes place on the Sint-Jacobsplein.

Open Monumentendag Open Monument Day

Sunday, 8 September Since its introduction in 1989, Open Monument Day has become a regular item on Leuven’s cultural agenda. The general public can enjoy the precious heritage which Flanders, and in particular Leuven, has to offer, and which normally isn’t accessible to the public. 6

This year, the silver edition of Open Monument Day will be celebrated. This “Best of” will be a special 25th edition showcasing the very best of Open Monument Day. Various locations in Leuven

Jaartallendag Sunday, 8 September (10:00 a.m. Jubilee celebration church Sint-Pieter - 11:15 a.m. Solemn ceremony 30CC-Schouwburg - 4:00 p.m. Jaartallen procession) The ‘Mannen van het Jaar’ (Men of the Year) circle has been active since 1890. You can recognise every year by its particular emblem, flag and costume. During the procession, each year’s cohort can be admired in all its glory. Unique in the world!

STUK START from Thursday, 26 September to Sunday, 29 September A free four-day opening heralds the start of the new cultural season at STUK. The ideal introduction to STUK and a fine taster for the coming season.

PASSION OF THE VOICES early November For the 5th year in a row, “Passion of the voices” will make Leuven shimmer with the sounds of an exquisite polyphony. Just like the previous editions, age-old sources, surprising performances and contemporary leading musi cians form the main ingredients of this musical smorgasbord. “Passion of the voices” is a pro ject by the Alamire Foundation and 30CC with the support of the province of Flemish Brabant.

PLAYGROUND From thursday, 7 to Sunday, 10 November Playground is a unique festival which plays with the interface between the visual and stage arts. Renowned international artists present their most fascinating presentations and expositions in STUK.

THE LEUVEN CLIMATE WEEK from Saturday, 16 through Sunday, 24 November For an entire week, 30CC, STUK, DOCVILLE,

 Kerstmarkt

Groep T, Jeugdcentrum Vleugel F, the Libary and many other organisations are once more joining forces around the themes of ecology and sustainability. This is no event for the hardcore sandal-wearer, rather, it is an extensive collection of information and practical tips for living a more sustainable life, interesting lectures, documentaries and movies, workshops, exhibitions and terrific performances for a general public of all ages. The entire programme will be announced in September.

International Short Film Festival Leuven from Saturday, 30 November through Saturday, 7 December The 19th edition of the International Short Film Festival presents an extensive selection of classic short films, from fiction to animation films, documentary films, experimental films and video clips. The focus is on Flemish and European short film competitions. In addition, the International Short Film Festival Leuven spares no expense on children’s films, retrospective programmes and specials. All films are either in English or subtitled. The entire programme is available starting in early November at www.kortfilmfestival.be. Venue: STUK

Winter season in Leuven From friday, 13 December through Tuesday, 31 December Winter in Leuven immerses Leuven into a warm, Christmas atmosphere during the holiday period with nostalgic Christmas windmills, atmospheric winter walking tours and exclusive chamber music concerts at the Gothic Town Hall. Hotels will surprise and delight visitors with winter holiday deals.

Christmas Market From friday, 13 December through Sunday, 22 December The Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein and Herbert Hooverplein will again become the enchanting backdrop for the Leuven Christmas Market, with the most beautiful Christmas articles and decoration items and gifts and sampling stands for your culinary enjoyment. Make sure you also visit Santa’s fairy-tale house.

longer in leuven Carillon concerts Continuously - Carillon of Sint-Pieter Church in the Grote Markt: throughout the year: every Friday from noon to 12:45 p.m., and on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Carillon of the Central Library on Mgr. Ladeuzeplein with free ascent of the tower up to 25 persons: every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. during term time (not during vacations or exam periods); the tower can be visited free of charge at 6:30 p.m. (information and booking at www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/beiaard) - ‘Ladeuze Bells’ square festival: Saturdays in August, with deck chairs, drinks, a musical supporting programme at 8:30 p.m. and carillon concert from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. - Carillon of the Great Beguinage: played every first and third Wednesday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (only during the school year); Begijnhof Bells summer concerts on Saturdays in August from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - The Sint-Geertrui Church carillon played every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (only during the school year); Geertrui Bells summer concerts on Sundays in July and August from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Colora festival Continuously Colora festival is a small-scale, enjoyable and quality world music festival in Leuven. Throughout the year, in various locations in the city, from an outdoor festival weekend during the summer, from large halls to small rooms and in a genuine café circuit, come and enjoy the world music concerts, intercultural meetings and honest and delicious drinks and snacks.

Fotokaders Vriendenkringen Mannen van het Jaar Framed photos, ‘Men of the year’ circles

Saturday 19/01 - 16/02 - 16/03 - 20/04 11/05 - 15/06 - 13/07 - 17/08 - 14/09 - 12/10 - 16/11 - 14/12, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. 8

The ‘Men of the Year' circles or the ‘Leuven years’ create a circle of friends purely based on the mutual year of birth when they turn 40. They then organise all sorts of activities in the Leuven region between their 40th and 50th birthday and finally celebrate their 50th birthday in style. This Leuven phenomenon is unique in Europe and possibly the world. The ‘Men of the Year’ circles have existed since the 19th century. The brasserie in the cellars of Leuven Town Hall has framed photographs of the rich history of the ‘Men of the Year' on display.

De Twaalf Weken van Sint-Michiel

The Twelve Weeks of Saint-Michael

Every Wednesday evening from april to july from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The St. Michaels Church in Naamsestraat is magically transformed into a freely accessible meeting place for lovers of art and culture. The festival unites artists from a variety of disciplines and offers performances of a different feather every week.

Leuven Bevlagd Leuven in flags

June, July and August During the summer months, over 100 heraldic flags adorn the streets of the town centre. The starting point is the town’s seven aristocratic ‘founding families’ and their numerous descendants.

Zomer van Sint-Pieter Summer at Saint-Pieters

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in July and August (except in the week of 15 August) at 12:15 p.m. For the 12th time, 30CC is giving mostly young (Belgian) musicians a chance to perform. In cooperation with the Brussels festival MidiMinimes, this series again offers a varied musical palette with classical music, more contemporary classical work and world music.

Exhibitions at M – Museum Leuven M van Museum Leuven Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 28, 3000 Leuven, t +32 (0)16 27 29 29, bezoekm@leuven.be, www.mleuven.be

M presents the first ever monographic exhibition of Michiel Coxcie’s work. The exhibition at M is part of a larger Coxcie tour in Flanders. In Mechelen and Brussels, the programme features more active, practical activities and smaller exhibitions.

HIERONYMUS COCK The renaissance in print from 14 March through 9 June The most brilliant etcher of the Low Countries is without a doubt Hieronymus Cock (1518-1570), the man who first discovered the incredible potential of the then still very young Pieter Brueghel (the Elder). Hieronymus Cock gathered the crème de la crème of young artists around himself and brought the best copper etchers he could find into his studio. He combined a subtle feel for artistic quality with a seldom-seen professional insight and knowledge of the international arts market. In a short time, Hieronymus Cock was able to build his etching publishing house “In de vier Winden” into the most influential publishing house in Europe. The copper engravings that he put on the market went round the world and guaranteed the reputation and fame of artists such as Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Frans Floris and many others. The most beautiful drawings and etchings from within the treasure troves of the Royal Library of Belgium will be presented to the public for a short time. M Museum is the only location that has been selected in Belgium. The exhibition will then travel to Paris.

MICHIEL COXCIE The Flemish Raphael From 31 October through 23 February 2014 Michiel Coxcie (1499 - 1592) was one of the most influential painters of the 16th century. During his life, Coxcie’s fame matched that of Raphael and their talents were considered to be equally great. Coxcie introduced the purely Latinising style of painting to Flanders, which would later inspire Rubens. He left an enormously varied and multifaceted oeuvre: an impressive collection of paintings, monumental stained glass windows, wellknown graphic series and tapestries. The famous copy of The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Van Eyck, included in the exhibition, was also painted by Coxcie.

 Detail Jan Gossaert & Michiel Coxcie The wings of The altar of Saint Luc (c) National Gallery Praag 9

 Markt | Market - Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein

 Markt | Market - Brusselsestraat

markets Leuven Thursday

WEDNESDAY

• Brusselsestraat (pedestrian precinct) from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: selling flowers and plants.

Baron August de Becker-Remyplein from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: selling general market products

FRIDAY

Sub-municipality of Heverlee

• Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein, Herbert Hooverplein, Leopold Vanderkelenstraat (between Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein and Savoyestraat) from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for food, flowers and plants from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for textile SATURDAY • from Mathieu de Layensplein, Mechelsestraat (to Schrijnmakersstraat): antique market • Brusselsestraat: (pedestrian precinct) from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: craft market • Oude Markt: (from the Zeelstraat) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: arts and crafts market and local products

Sub-municipality of Kessel-Lo

SUNDAY Van Arenbergplein, de Lignestraat, Naamsesteenweg, part of Waversebaan (from Lignestraat to the fork at numbers 41 and 43) from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: selling general market products

Sub-municipality of Wijgmaal MONDAY Sint-Hadrianusstraat (church square) from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. selling general market products

overview of events 2013 Date

Activity

13/2 – 24/2

ARTEFACT-festival

28/2, 1/3 & 2/3

Puzzling America

21/3 >< 24/3

Leuven Jazz

25/3 - 29/3, 29/4 – 3/5, 21/10 – 25/10, 10/12 – 13/12

Move me

29/3 >< 1/4

International folk dance and music Easter festivities

21/4

Leuven Heritage Day: Stop time!

25/4 >< 28/4

Amateurama

27/4 & 28/4

Zythos Beer festival

28/4, 1/5 & 5/5

Art Trail-Leuven

3/5 ><11/5

Docville: International Documentary Film festival

17/5 & 18/5

Circus & Co

1/6

Leuven World Festival

22/6

The Longest Day Leuven

5/7, 12/7, 19/7 & 26/7

Beleuvenissen

6/7, 13/7, 20/7, 27/7 & 17/8, 24/8 & 31/8

Summer concerts

10/7

Holiday of the Flemish Community Flanders celebrates

1/8 >< 4/8

M-idzomer

4/8

Hapje Tapje & barman’s race

9/8

Raising the maypole

30/8 – 22/9

Leuven September Fair

31/8 - 2/9

Flower carpet

31/8

Commemoration of Abraham

September and October

Festival of Flanders Flemish-Brabant

2/9

Annual market and cattle fair

8/9

Open Monument Day

8/9

Jaartallendag

26/9 – 29/9

STUK Start

Early November

Passion of the voices

7/11 – 10/11

Playground

16/11 >< 24/11

The Leuven climate week

30/11 >< 7/12

International Short Film Festival Leuven

13/12 >< 31/12

Winter season in Leuven

13/12 >< 22/12

Christmas Market

L E U VEN | F L ANDERS | BELGIUM

TOuRISM LEUVEN Open from 10:00 to 17:00, Monday to Sunday. Closed on public holidays and associated days and Sundays from the first of November to the end of February. t +32 (0)16 20 30 20 - f +32 (0)16 20 30 03 - tourism@leuven.be - www.visitleuven.be

Colofon The greatest care has been taken over the accuracy and up-to-dateness of the information published in this guide. Tourism Leuven declines all liability for any errors. Neither is the publisher liable for changes after the date of publication. Any comments and changes may be communicated to infogids@leuven.be. This series also includes: street wise in Leuven architecture and sculptures university and colleges group tours and day trips lodging in Leuven cycling and walking

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