KBR museum reopens with polyphonic sounds and medieval festive weekend

On 23 May 2025, the KBR museum reopens its doors with a three-day programme full of music, heritage and experience. The renovated permanent collection — with the Burgundian manuscripts at its heart — places the wealth of late medieval polyphony centre stage. Visitors experience how sounding multi-voice music brings the manuscripts to life and fills the spaces.

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Polyphony in image and sound

During guided tours, the public will experience the new multimedia installation for the first time. Guides explain how the Burgundian dukes supported polyphonic masters and how their music continues to inspire today.

The city choir Stemmen van Brussel under the direction of Baptiste Vaes closes the opening day with a concert full of multi-voice gems from various traditions. Those who wish to continue celebrating can dance into the late hours at restaurant albert (fifth floor): dj soFa elsewhere mixes eclectic beats with polyphonic echoes over the Brussels skyline.

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programme per day

Friday 23 May

• Instant guided tours (NL 12.30 – 13.30, FR 13.00 – 14.00)
• Concert Stemmen van Brussel – 20.00 – 21.00
• Opening party "Polyphonic Grooves" – 21.00 – 01.00

Saturday 24 May

• Living past: medieval camp – 10.00 – 17.00
• Instant guided tour – 11.00 – 12.30
• Brunch @ albert – 11.00 – 15.00
• SpeakEasy Spoken Word BXL – 12.30 – 15.00
• Performance YOUYOUYOU – 12.45 – 13.00
• Workshop "singing in polyphony" – 15.00 – 17.00
• Concert Currende – 19.00 – 20.00 On the programme: Missa De Beata Virgine by Jacob Arcadelt (ca. 1507 – 1568) and an anonymous work from the KBR collection.

Sunday 25 May

• Living past: medieval camp – 10.00 – 17.00
• Family polyphony workshops – 10.20 – 13.00 (six short sessions)
• Lecture "Hearing, seeing and… singing: Renaissance polyphony and the five senses" – 11.00 – 12.30
• Brunch @ albert – 11.00 – 15.00
• Dance performances Passi – 12.00 – 17.00 (six short sets)
• Performance YOUYOUYOU – 14.30 – 14.45
• Workshop "singing in polyphony" – 15.00 – 17.00

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practical information

All activities take place at the KBR museum (Kunstberg, Brussels). Some events are free, others require reservation or an additional fee. Consult kbr.be for details and tickets.

With this festive opening weekend, KBR emphasizes that the polyphonic heritage of the Low Countries is alive and well — and that heritage only truly sings when it is shared.