40th edition of Antilliaanse Feesten kicks off on Thursday

The Antilliaanse Feesten, one of Europe's biggest Caribbean music festivals, kicks off in Hoogstraten on Thursday. The festival is celebrating its 40th edition this year and will host artists from around the world for the next three days.

Thursday night, only a smaller stage will be open, with performances from Cuban, Aruban and Belizean artists. On Friday and Saturday, the festival will start in earnest, with some of the biggest acts in Caribbean music.

Kassav', credited as the founder of the zouk genre, is dedicating its latest tour to its founder Jacob Desvarieux, who passed away in 2021. Estrellas de Buena Vista y Más is another performance to look out for, featuring four original members of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club.

Tickets are still available at the box office every day of the festival - a deliberate choice by the organisers. They expect around 30,000 visitors to attend the event this year.

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