Cultural Compass: Science and truth, thrilling theatre, music festivals and more

Exhibitions, music, architecture, books, festivals… this is Belga English's pick of cultural activities in Flanders and Brussels, published every Sunday.

The Easter holidays are brimming with possibilities to encounter culture. From works of art to jazz, there is no shortage of inspiration to usher in the change of seasons.

The Roger Raveel Museum in Zulte celebrates its 25th anniversary with the exhibitionThe Essence, showcasing works by the artist and designs by the architect Stéphane Beel. This chronological display, aided by selected architectural structures, takes visitors on a journey through Raveel’s evolution as a painter. The exhibition runs until 6 October.

Ghent University Museum has unveiled its newest offering, the Wunderkammer of Truth. “Does absolute certainty exist? What is the role of science and art in this quest? Does a museum always tell the truth?” These are the questions the museum hopes the public will ask themselves as they delve into the deep connections between art and science. The show will host curious visitors until 21 April.

Beyond the Wunderkammer of Truth, the museum has more than 400,000 objects on display, acquired during the university’s 200-year history. The direct connection with the Botanical Garden offers a breath of fresh air between views of the extensive collection.

In the heart of Antwerp, the Fakkeltheater has an array of performances to choose from in the coming week. Two thrillers, The Woman in Black and Gaslight, promise to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, while Aphrodisia tells a humourous story of recognisable family dynamics. Finally, the Hotel Vocal series brings music and storytelling together in the theatre’s cafe. Performances are in Dutch.

The Belgian Jazz Festival on 5 and 6 April celebrates the diversity of Belgian musicians. “A small country in size and strong in the abundance of jazz musicians, the Belgian scene has this particularity of mixing styles, origins (many foreign students decide to stay in our country) and generations, which undoubtedly best defines Belgian jazz,” says Orfena Music, the festival organiser.

In the same vein, a second music festival kicks off in Brussels on 5 April, highlighting musical practices as a result of immigration to the capital. The Brussels Migrant Music (BRuMM) Festival believes that knowledge can be communicated through music: “Music from elsewhere has been perpetuated and reinvented in a socio-cultural context very different from the societies in which it was born, and today it is part of Brussels' musical heritage.” The festival runs until 25 April.

Belga covered the opening of two other major cultural events this past week in Flanders: Ostend’s open-air gallery, Crystal Ship, and the re-opening of the Permeke Museum in Jabbeke.

​Ongoing events
​Rivoluzione e Nostalgia, La Monnaie ​
​Ombra and PUUR at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen
​Histoire de ne pas rire. Het surrealisme in België, BOZAR
​Jef Verheyen: Window on Infinity, KMSKA

(MOH)

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