EUROPALIA: art as a driving force against polarisation

Since 1969, more than 25 million visitors have flocked to EUROPALIA festivals, each edition dedicated to a particular country or theme. The founding mission remains unchanged and as relevant as ever: bringing people and cultures closer together through art.

EUROPALIA seeks perspectives and creates…

Today, this translates into a multidisciplinary programme that combines cultural heritage and tradition with contemporary creations. EUROPALIA festivals start from the local context of a country, then place it in the wider perspective of global society. Each biennale encourages debate around identity(ies) and invites artists to contribute their perspectives on themes that affect and challenge us all. Interdisciplinary creations are always given centre stage, alongside works by both famous and lesser-known names, spanning different generations.

…to find new connections

EUROPALIA seeks to bring its multifaceted programme to an equally multifaceted audience. This happens through its public engagement initiatives, and thanks to an extensive network of diverse cultural partners who co-develop and co-produce the festival. Every two years, during four months, hundreds of artistic events unfold across Belgium and neighbouring regions, attracting a wide European audience.

Since 2024, EUROPALIA also organises three-day focus editions in between biennales. They are conceived as multidisciplinary programmes in Brussels, both at our artistic partners’ venues and in public spaces.