The 17th edition of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 August 2024. This year’s theme is ‘Many Voices. One Pride‘. The organising committee advocates a more militant pride, with a “we’re not going back in the closet” attitude in reaction to rising conservatism and conformism. But let’s face it: pride is also celebration. In the run up to August, let’s look at activities and events. Also don’t forget Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August.

The Museum Aan de Stroom, Museum At the Stream or just MAS for short, is planning an LGBTQIA+ themed exhibition in 2027. In the meantime, it’s organising MAS Darling. 

“A multi-day festival with talks, workshops, performances and film that highlights and celebrates the history and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community. Artists, dancers and speakers will amaze, inspire and make you reflect on themes of gender and sexuality. “

MAS Darling is taking place at the MAS, obviously, from 7 to 11 August. 

Wednesday 7 August

• Children’s workshop ‘Pride at the MAS’. “If you thought that old bottles, jars, paper and other waste materials could not be transformed into something beautiful, you are wrong. In this colourful workshop, children build their own parade artwork for Pride with recycled materials and a healthy dose of imagination. While crafting, they learn what Pride stands for and realise that we are all different. And just like in the parade, all creations come together and form a very own procession in all the colours of the rainbow. Do you have (grand)children between the ages of 6 and 12 who love colourful crafts? Don’t hesitate and register them.”
• Whispered Mosaic Poetry Ritual. “Poet and author Maya Wuytack would love to take you on a unique workshop. She will guide you in an immersive poetry ritual that focuses on the body and its nourishment. Together with all participants, you will become an ‘insider’ in the living landscape of imagination and words. You become part of an interplay of animated gestures, subtle movements and whispers. Together, you help write a collective poem.”
• Trust Me, I’m Your Body. “For Mexican artist Dodi Espinosa, mental health is an important theme in his work. During MAS Darling, he will take you on an inspiring meditation session. Become aware of your body, mind and spirit and come to a higher awareness of yourself. Join this workshop and embark on a journey of self-discovery, guided by artist Dodi Espinosa and his insights into meditation. The workshop starts from the belief that your body is the key to balance and resilience. By trusting that there is an innate wisdom within your physical being, you learn to tune into your breath and anchor yourself in the present moment-the only moment that truly exists. By striving for this higher awareness of yourself, you explore the deeper connection between your body and mind. This creates inner peace. The workshop starts with an introduction and a circle to share.”

Thursday 8 August

• Decolonizing Gender Identity. “Are you interested in the deeper layers of gender and identity? Do you want to understand how colonial structures have influenced perceptions of gender and how we can break through them?  In this panel discussion, speakers from different disciplines explore how colonial history and cultural norms have shaped our current perceptions of gender and what we can do to decolonise these views. Emmanuel Ndefo (born Kano, Nigeria, 1991) describes himself as an artist, researcher, choreographer and performer. He uses his body as a tool for his creative process and explores how his performance can contribute to broader contemporary conversations. The core of his work is rooted in dance, performance and installation. He combines his training in dance research with knowledge gained while practising various traditional African rituals and dances, as well as urban dance styles such as hip-hop, krump and house.  Stephanie Collingwoode Williams is a former social worker, anthropologist, trainer, consultant and curator. She grew up in Ghana and studied in the Netherlands and Belgium. She is an expert on anti-racism, intersectionality, climate justice, feminism, queerness and biraciality. She was active as former spokesperson of the Belgian Network for Black Lives (a collective that organized the BLM march in Brussels in 2020), was involved in several actions against the glorification of Belgium’s colonial history, was active in KOZP, BHM, Code Rood, etc. Çavaria: As an LGBTI+ organization, çavaria has been working for more international solidarity for several years. From their position, they actively work for more attention to sexual and gender diversity within foreign policy, give trainings to NGOs and engage in collaborations with LGBTI+ organizations abroad. Since 2023, they have been working with LGBTI+ organizations from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda on decolonizing knowledge on sexual and gender diversity. This collaboration also gave rise to formations offering decolonial perspectives on sexual & gender diversity to Belgian, Rwandan and Congolese organizations. Raf Njotea is a scriptwriter, presenter and columnist for De Standaard. He co-wrote a.o. the Flemish TV series ‘Dertigers‘, ‘Familie‘ and the youth series ‘Panna and Only Friends‘. Together with Lander Kennis, he made the podcast ‘Ouder‘ for Radio 1. Through his columns and lectures, Raf gets involved in the social debate on themes such as identity, language and representation.”
• Re:thinking the body. “Wondering what happens when you use your body differently than you are used to? In this workshop, visual artist Laura Boser uses improvisation and listening exercises to challenge you to look at the hierarchy of your body parts differently. This movement workshop is inspired by marine invertebrates (especially jellyfish, amoebas and octopuses) and Sara Ahmed‘s ‘Queer Phenomenology‘. In it, Ahmed explores how individuals navigate space, examining the lived experiences of queer bodies. How can we arrive at an (inner) image of the human body that is different from a being dominated mainly by the head? Laura uses somatic improvisation, partner work, listening exercises and the activation of our sense of touch to question the hierarchy of our body parts and explore what it is like to move in space differently than we are used to. All bodies, genders and levels of experience are welcome.”

Friday 9 August

• Unmasking the Queer Monster. “LGBTQI+ individuals are prone to mental health problems. Join this inspiring art therapy workshop with artist Dodi Espinosa and explore the cultural aspect of trauma together.  Using drawing and collage techniques, explore the different facets of collective trauma in the LGBTQI+ community. This workshop provides a safe space for participants to talk openly about their experiences and exchange ideas about them. By making art together and engaging in conversation, you will participate in a healing journey of self-discovery and solidarity, embracing healing and resilience within the community.”
• Shakey Vessels. “How queer are the old ways of life of pirates? In this playful performance by Rita Bifulco and Reyer Van Barneveld on the MAS Square, it is by no means clear anymore who is the shark and who is the prey. On the square, artist Luc Tuymans‘ artwork ‘Dead Skull‘ is hidden among the stones, where it reminds these artists of a pirate flag. Be amazed by two non-conformist sailors who transform this place into a ship off balance.”
• Pardon Our Appearance While We’re Under Construction (or Building a Trans-centered World). “‘How many times do you see a trans statue?’ Monstera Deliciosa and Kane Stonestreet ask us. Never, we admit reluctantly. Luckily, they offer the perfect solution. Kane and Monstera will provide the square in front of the MAS museum with living trans iconography. In their durational performance, they will be using found materials and improvised body movements to continuously construct and deconstruct themselves and each other.”
• Adamma: an African Maiden Spirit. “Did you know that pre-colonial African cultural practices defy simplified binary Western ideas about the body and eroticism? For this performance, dancer and multimedia artist Emmanuel Ndefo explored the Nigerian ritual tradition ‘Adamma‘, which means ‘beautiful daughter’ in Igbo. In this ritual, men perform flirtatious dances in public, wearing traditional women’s clothes and wearing a wooden mask painted with a woman’s face. The video ‘Adamma: An African Maiden Spirit‘ can be seen at the MAS from Tuesday 6 to Sunday 11 August in the Visible Storage on the 2nd floor. On Friday 9 August, Ndefo will activate it with a performance.”
• Decolonizing the Arts, a Queer Narrative. “Artist Dodi Espinosa tells the fascinating story behind the artwork ‘El día del burro‘ (2018). The work refers to his past as an (illegal) migrant and a victim of abuse of power and inequality. It helped him process his past in an almost therapeutic way. In making this work, Espinosa deliberately did not go along with what Western art lovers consider tasteful. He resolutely refused to go along with what is expected of him as an artist. Although history is often written by winners, Espinosa believes that a lot of other perspectives, stories and formal languages are at least as interesting. The work, which belongs to the Mu.ZEE collection, is temporarily on display during MAS Darling in the Art from Pre-Columbian America exhibition on the 8th floor, where it is in direct dialogue with the powerful work ‘Sculpture group of a warrior with two dogs‘.”

Sunday 11 August

• Children’s workshop ‘Pride at the MAS’.
• Nelly & Nadine. With ‘Nelly and Nadine‘, director Magnus Gretten tells the unlikely life story of two women who fall in love during World War II.  Brussels-based Nelly and Nadine Hwang meet in the Ravensbrück concentration camp on Christmas Eve 1944. They instantly fall in love. In the final months of the war, they are separated, but they manage to find each other again and even share their lives together, although they keep their love affair secret from family and friends. Nelly’s granddaughter Sylvie delves into her grandmother’s personal archives and reveals Nelly and Nadine’s moving life story. 
• Shaky Vessels. 

Full programme in Dutch and in English. 

Antwerp Pride 2024 & Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2024

• Antwerp Pride 2024 programme highlights.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Parade route & map for Saturday 10 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Opening Night, Wednesday 7 August, Openluchttheater OLT Rivierenhof, Deurne.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Pride in Town, Friday 9 August, Sint-Andriesplaats.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | post-parade Love United Festival, Saturday 10 August, Cockerillkaai.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 partner events: Friends of Dorothy, Queer Tour at KMSKA, Midsummer 2024, Celebrate Life at Jeffrey’s / Loud & Queer, Send In The Clowns, Oh Honey.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 theme: ‘Many Voices. One Pride’.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 to be more militant against growing opposition to LGBTQIA+: “We’re not going back in the closet”.

Darklands 2024-2025

• Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
• Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.
• Darklands 2024 from 27 February to 4 March.
• ANTWERP | Darklands 2024 going into ‘The Void’ under new, stricter city rules.
• DARKLANDS 2024 | Programme & schedule.

The latest on prides in Belgium

• Antwerp Pride 2024 programme highlights.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
• Liège Pride 2024 programme and introduction.
• Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
• Limburg Pride 2025 to be hosted by Hasselt on Sunday 13 July.
• Brussels Pride 2024 programme starts on Wednesday 8 May with Pride Opening at Molenbeek and a Pride Week.
• Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.
• Queer March Ghent 2024 on Saturday 30 March at Viernulvier.
• PROGRAMME | Queer Arts Festival Leuven 2023 from 3 to 25 November.

Art and museums in Antwerp

• ANTWERP | ‘To the Antarctic. The polar pioneers of the Belgica’ exhibition at Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS).
• RED STAR LINE MUSEUM | ‘A wanted refugee: Einstein and Red Star Line’ exhibition until Sunday 8 September 2024.
• Antwerp will have a new Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp M HKA.
• ANTWERP | Innovations in the Middelheim Museum provide a completely new visitor experience.
• ANTWERP | New Rubens House building and garden to open on 30 August 2024.
• FOMU 2024 | Antwerp photography museum ft. Dirk Braeckman, ‘RE/SISTERS’ and Nick Geboers.
• A visit of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum – Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (VlaTAM) in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Discovering queer(ed) art with the Queer Tour at the KMSKA fine arts museum.
• REVIEW | Illusion Antwerpen, an active and photogenic museum.
• Antwerp museums and sports facilities team up with European Disability Card for accessible leisure activities.
• ‘Jef Verheyen, Window On Infinity’ exhibition at KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, until 18 August 2024.
• Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
• 2024 at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA): Rubens, James Ensor, Jules Schmalzigaug and many more.
• 2024 at the museums of Antwerp ft. Ensor Year.
• ANTWERP | Inside Rubens House.
• Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Vleeshuis up for restoration.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Red Star Line Museum.
• Paleis op de Meir. 
• DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds.
• ANTWERP | Red Star Line Museum of (e)migration.