Fans of performing arts must be in Brugge from August 18 to 20 for the brand new Reiefestival. Brugge Plus, Kunstencentrum KAAP and Concertgebouw Brugge are putting their shoulders to the wheel, on behalf of the City of Brugge, for this triennial festival that bridges heritage and contemporary performing arts.
Fourteen national and international artists create unique works inspired by the theme 'Faith' and Brugge's rich heritage. Locations on and around the canals come to life in an atmospheric setting during more than 50 performances featuring established and emerging talent.
"The Reiefestival will – in rotation with Triënnale Brugge and Gouden Boomstoet – become a new, triennial outdoor cultural tradition in Brugge. Visitors will see cultural Brugge from a surprising, innovative perspective. Bruggians will see 'their' water as a common thread throughout the festival."
– Franky Demon, chairman Brugge Plus vzw
For the first edition, the Reiefestival chose the theme 'Faith' in the broadest sense, ranging from superstition and rituals to spirituality and even the search for truth. In September 2021, an open call was launched that resulted in 104 project proposals. Artists wishing to submit a proposal could draw inspiration from an 'inspiration box', compiled by Brugge's heritage organizations to provide material and information on the theme of faith. This ranges from poems by Guido Gezelle to ex voto's and witchcraft tales. During the Reiefestival, the audience discovers the connection between these sources and the performances.
Rather than a curator, a jury from the professional field (including Brugge's alderman for Culture Nico Blontrock, Steven Slos as cultural policy coordinator for the City of Brugge, Lieve Moeremans as then director of Brugge Plus vzw, project manager Alan Quireyns, Merel Vercoutere from Kunstencentrum KAAP, Albert Edelman from Concertgebouw Brugge and external jury members Elke Decoker, Nora Mohammed, Christel Simons and Bert Schreurs) selected 14 projects from the 104 submissions. These creations will come to life in locations that capture the imagination, spread across historic sites in the city.
At the festival center in Salon Arents (Dijver 16) visitors can find information, purchase tickets and have a drink.