PhotoBrussels Festival returns for ninth edition in January

The ninth edition of the PhotoBrussels Festival will take place in the capital in the new year, showcasing the work of hundreds of artists in 46 exhibition venues.

Created in 2016, the festival aims to bring together photography enthusiasts, practitioners and professionals for a month-long celebration of contemporary photography in all its diversity.

"PhotoBrussels Festival perfectly reflects the multifaceted identity of Brussels: cosmopolitan, vibrant, creative, European capital and profoundly human," said creator Delphine Dumont. "More than just a cultural event, it is a vibrant celebration of photography that transforms the city into a place of artistic exploration."

Last year, more than 100,000 visitors explored Brussels during the festival. In addition to exhibitions, each venue will host discussions, conferences, workshops, book signings and artist talks.

"More than just a cultural event, it is a vibrant celebration of photography that transforms the city into a place of artistic exploration"

Highlights include an exhibition by the artistic duo Pierre Liebaert and Sandrine Lopez at the Archiraar Gallery, and the photographic series Le chant de l'Ours by France Dubois at Berlin Brussels Art Projects.

At the Jacques Franck cultural centre, Rami Hara and Ugo Woatzi will present The Subtle Gesture, an exhibition that questions expectations of masculinity and explores different identities.

Zones, an exhibition by photographers Pauline Vanden Neste and Tom Lyon, will depict an area subject to liberal policies that encourage gentrification. Another important venue, La Forest Divonne gallery, will showcase historic prints by French architectural photographer Lucien Hervé.

The full programme is available on the event's website.

^{An image from Michael Christopher Brown's 90 Miles series, on display at the Hangar art centre during PhotoBrussels © PHOTO HANDOUT PHOTOBRUSSELS / MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BROWN}