The presence of citizens from African descent in Belgium is the result of a history of oppression and migrations between the territories of Belgium, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Yet this part of our common heritage is barely known nor is it addressed in the disciplines that shape our ‘vivre-ensemble’: our urban-planning and national art scene. This ‘omerta’ holds in its core the seed of violence as it repeats the same imbalance as the one of our oppressive past; unheard claims are received with a brutal defensiveness. In the present ideological shift, cities must express and facilitate equality and not layers of power. Cultural identity as a variation of this quest for social justice is often narrowed by a narrative of particularism which fails to recognize oppression and migration as universal experiences. In the present ideological shift, cities must express and facilitate equality. Therefore, an inclusive dialogue is the key for intercultural understanding in order to reach the collective. My research aims to clarify the claims of the defined community through political and artistic actions to engage in the public debate.
in focus
12.07.26, 16:00,
Helga Ameye, Molrat, Kinda at Gent JazzconcertAgendaArtistic activitiesOn 12 July, the Garden Stage will be dedicated to the collaboration between Gent Jazz and HOGENT. Helga Ameye, Kinda and molrat have been selected by KASK & Conservatorium. They won’t be stepping onto the stage unprepared, as they will be mentored by an established musician in the run-up to the festival.
Helga Ameye
Helga Ameye expands her artistic identity as composer and lead singer through her band. Her message, "to feel deeply and not be afraid to touch and be touched” — runs through every layer of her work with her band. Wodan Onkelinx (keyboards), Stanzi Cresens (cello, vocals), Tuur Geldhof (bass) and Thibault Goudket (drums, vocals).
Helga Ameye’s sound is enriched by the authentic contributions of each the band members. Her sonic palette is like layered, clashing colours— delicate, overlapping textures of sound. This complexity is an electronic indie-pop sound marked by emotional depth and subtle complexity. To tell her story, she draws on her jazz background, weaving repetition, modality, and harmonic nuance into her songwriting. Inspired by artists such as Radiohead, Tsar B, Tamino, James Blake and Pitou.
Kinda
Kinda is made up of producers Zias Roeland & Rocco Segers, together with drummer Flor Nackaerts, who bring their own distinctive interpretation to Midwest emo. Originally starting out as an electronic dance project, their sound has gradually evolved into something more emotional and alternative, while still retaining subtle electronic undertones. Working entirely independently, they produce and shape every aspect of their music themselves, using that creative freedom to fully realise a personal artistic vision. For fans of: Amercian Football, Pinegrove & Horse Vision.
molrat
molrat combines spacey synths with razor-sharp drum breaks, groovy basslines, hypnotic percussion, and a vibey vibraphone. Through spontaneous jam sessions, the group transforms concepts into club-ready tracks. These concepts come from breaks, basslines, synth-melodies, sequencers or just about anything imaginable. Drawing inspiration from UK club culture — from UK garage and jungle to IDM — alongside jazz and hip-hop, molrat channels the spirit of artists such as Squarepusher, Lone, Amon Tobin, Joy Orbison, The Roots… molrat is steadily building a reputation not only on the live music circuit but also within the club scene, with the sole aim of getting both gig audiences and club-goers on their feet and moving wherever they play. Expect pounding bass, flashing strobes, relentless energy, and immersive, otherworldly soundscapes. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
9000 Gent
Vocaal à la carte, MIRY Concert hallconcertAgendaArtistic activitiesBenoît De Leersnyder has skilfully put together a varied programme featuring opera, operetta, art songs, chansons and musical theatre, performed by vocal students from KASK & Conservatorium. We couldn’t have imagined a more fitting opening to our festival.
Au Bain MIRY is a summer music festival featuring concerts by up-and-coming talent from KASK & Conservatorium during the Gentse Feesten. The concerts are free for students and staff of KASK & Conservatorium. We want to make the concerts accessible to everyone. For those who wish to contribute, we operate a Pay What You Can system: you choose how much to contribute – come for free or choose between a small, standard or support contribution.
**pay what you can
9000 Gent
Vocaal à la carte, MIRY Concert hallconcertAgendaArtistic activitiesBenoît De Leersnyder has skilfully put together a varied programme featuring opera, operetta, art songs, chansons and musical theatre, performed by vocal students from KASK & Conservatorium. We couldn’t have imagined a more fitting opening to our festival.
Au Bain MIRY is a summer music festival featuring concerts by up-and-coming talent from KASK & Conservatorium during the Gentse Feesten. The concerts are free for students and staff of KASK & Conservatorium. We want to make the concerts accessible to everyone. For those who wish to contribute, we operate a Pay What You Can system: you choose how much to contribute – come for free or choose between a small, standard or support contribution.
**pay what you can
9000 Gent
Bert Lasseel, MIRY Concert hallconcertAgendaArtistic activitiesThe French composer Olivier Messiaen is known for his great fondness for birdsong and his strong Catholic faith. Both interests feature prominently throughout his entire body of work. There are no bird sounds in Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus, but, as the title suggests, he sets to music various aspects of the birth of Jesus in twenty meditations. This grand and imposing work, lasting over two hours, is right up pianist Bert Lasseel’s street.
Au Bain MIRY is a summer music festival featuring concerts by up-and-coming talent from KASK & Conservatorium during the Gentse Feesten. The concerts are free for students and staff of KASK & Conservatorium. We want to make the concerts accessible to everyone. For those who wish to contribute, we operate a Pay What You Can system: you choose how much to contribute – come for free or choose between a small, standard or support contribution.
**pay what you can
9000 Gent
Alver, MIRY Concert hallconcertAgendaArtistic activitiesUp-and-coming talent Nele Vernaillen was highlighted this year as one of Klara’s “Twenty-Somethings”. During a Toots session, she introduced her new band, Alver, to the wider public. Vernaillen’s flute lends the group a silvery glow – a quality Alver shares with the fish of the same name. Together, the musicians create soundscapes that elevate the act of getting lost once again to a romantic concept. Alver grooves, muses, dances and comforts, inviting you to do the same.
Au Bain MIRY is a summer music festival featuring concerts by up-and-coming talent from KASK & Conservatorium during the Gentse Feesten. The concerts are free for students and staff of KASK & Conservatorium. We want to make the concerts accessible to everyone. For those who wish to contribute, we operate a Pay What You Can system: you choose how much to contribute – come for free or choose between a small, standard or support contribution.
**pay what you can
9000 Gent