Sfeerbeelden van Feest op het Marktplein in Kalmthout: optredens van Ellis Rye, DJ Sep, Garry Hagger, Tina Turner tribute en 2 Fabiola. Fotografie door Björn Franck.

Lokale Helden (Local Heroes) is a widespread biennial music event in Flanders and Brussels dedicated to putting the spotlight on local musical talent. Organized by VI.BE (the support point for artists and the music sector in Flanders), it encourages cities, municipalities, youth clubs, and cultural centers to host their own unique music events on a single day or weekend.

Established in 1911, College Essen is a monument to Flemish Neo-Gothic architecture and monastic tradition. Built on the grounds of the historic Rouwmoerhoeve farm, the campus was designed by architect Georges Dhaeyer as a sanctuary for education. This series captures the enduring character of the red-brick cloisters and the iconic spire of the Eucharistic Heart Church. Set within a vast private park, the school’s architecture reflects a transition through time—from its origins as a Redemptorist monastery and boarding school to its current role as a premier center for classical and scientific education.

Grenscross is a premier grassroots autocross event held annually in Essen, Belgium, near the Dutch border. Unlike clinical professional races, Grenscross is a high-energy "folk-cross" (volkscross) festival that blends motorsport with a community fair atmosphere. It is best known for its spectacle classes, such as the "Duo" cars and the "Three-wheelers," which are designed specifically to entertain the crowds. The track is built on industrial/farmland soil, leading to heavy dust or deep mud depending on the Belgian weather.

Park Happening Schoten is the signature family festival held in the municipality of Schoten (Antwerp province) to celebrate the end of the summer holidays. Known for its high-energy atmosphere and community focus, it transforms the local municipal park into a massive open-air event space.

The Hans Francken Festival is a vibrant two-day music event held annually in Essen, Belgium, curated by renowned producer and pianist Hans Francken. Known for its intimate "boutique" atmosphere, the festival serves as a premier showcase for high-quality Belgian pop, featuring a unique "Hans Francken Invites" session where a professional live band backs a revolving cast of the country's top artists. Set against a scenic backdrop, the event blends large-scale production with a community feel, capturing everything from high-energy tribute performances to emotional, stripped-back sets by local icons. It provides a rich, visual tapestry of the Flemish music scene, making it a standout highlight of the regional summer calendar.

The Straatfeesten Kalmthout is a long-standing, free-access music festival that takes over the heart of Kalmthout during the Pentecost (Pinksteren) weekend. Centered around the village church, the event is a high-energy "volksfeest" featuring multiple stages hosting a diverse lineup that spans from industrial techno and drum & bass to punk and local rock.

The Straatfeesten Kalmthout is a long-standing, free-access music festival that takes over the heart of Kalmthout during the Pentecost (Pinksteren) weekend. Centered around the village church, the event is a high-energy "volksfeest" featuring multiple stages hosting a diverse lineup that spans from industrial techno and drum & bass to punk and local rock.

The Begijnhof of Antwerp is a serene, 16th-century enclave that serves as a tranquil "village-within-the-city" hidden behind a modest gateway in the bustling student quarter. This historic site is characterized by its rows of whitewashed, stepped-gable houses and winding cobblestone paths that frame a lush central orchard. Today, the courtyard remains a residential oasis of profound silence, offering a timeless contrast to the modern urban pace and providing a unique window into the city's medieval soul.