On Saturday 14 December 2024, Bart De Wever (N-VA) and Kathleen Van Brempt (Vooruit) presented ‘Allemaal Antwerpenaar‘ or ‘All Antwerpians‘, the City of Antwerp governing agreement for the 2025-2030 term.

Mobility, urban development, arts and culture, supporting or not the civil society… In some 700 objectives, the  governing agreement, or bestuursakkoord in Dutch, describes what the participating political parties which will form the majority in the municipal council and will form the Council of Mayor and Aldermen (College van burgemeester en schepenen).

The governing agreement must be ratified by an assembly of members of the participating political parties. These are the N-VA, the New Flemish Alliance, which is an economic right-wing, ethically sometimes progressive, but mostly conservative party advocating independence for Flanders and they are allergic to anything which rings Belgium. The other party is the social democratic Vooruit. The parties are expecting to approve of the document today, Sunday 15 December. 

One topic is events, big events.

Objective #460: Antwerp Pride and EuroGames

“Antwerp Pride puts Antwerp on the map internationally as a tolerant city. We will continue to fully support this event. We are applying to be the host city of Euro games. This international sporting event of the LGBTQIA+ community brings a sporty and positive atmosphere to our city.”

It’s good to see that commitment on paper. But since the somewhat soft and low-key announcement in August for an Antwerp bid to host the EuroGames in 2028, no news has come out. Has a bid been submitted? The deadline was October 2024. Davy Brocatus is said to be the instigator of the project. But there hasn’t been any news.

What are the EuroGames?

The EuroGames are a European multi-sport event governed by the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation or EGLSF. It is the largest multi-sport event for athletes, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation in Europe.

Every year, the EGLSF calls for candidates to host the EuroGames two years later to allow sufficient time to organise the event. Candidates must be EGLSF members and have experience with organising sport events. At the Annual General Assembly in March, the decision is taken by the membership of the EGLSF which candidate will be the host to the EuroGames.

This year’s edition is in Vienna in Austria. The EuroGames visit Lyon in France in 2025 and Cardiff in Wales in the United Kingdom in 2027. In 2026 there are no EuroGames since there are Gay Games in Valencia in Spain.

Who is Davy Brocatus?

Davy Brocatus born in Brecht in the province of Antwerp on 22 March 1972, is a Belgian professional dancer, dance coach and a celebrity in Flanders.

Brocatus became a professional ballroom dancer in 1995. He worked as a dancer and dance trainer and teacher in London for five years. In 2006, he became one of the jury members of the VTM show ‘Sterren op de Dansvloer‘ (‘Strictly Come Dancing‘). 

He has had various roles in tv broadcast since. With his husband, Brocatus runs a bed and breakfast and a dance studio in Antwerp.

Brocatus was a key member of the organising committee for the EuroGames of 2007 in Antwerp. 

The latest on prides in Belgium

• The Belgian Pride declared bankrupt, but Brussels Pride 2025 will go ahead.
• Limburg Pride 2025 to focus on mental wellbeing.
• Leuven Pride 2024 parade route from railway station to Ferdinand Smoldersplein.
• Liège Pride 2025 on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
• Antwerp Pride 2025 from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August.
• CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
• Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
• Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.
• Queer March Ghent 2024 on Saturday 30 March at Viernulvier.