Leuven (Louvain) and the East Brabant reference region have been named European Capital of Culture 2030 by the European jury. The announcement was made at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels, where Leuven’s bid, presented under the banner LOV2030 – Leuven & Beyond, triumphed over its Belgian rivals Namur (Namen) in Wallonia and Sint-Jans-Molenbeek / Molenbeek-Saint-Jean in the Brussels-Capital Region. 

The decision means Leuven will represent Belgium as European Capital of Culture in 2030, alongside Cyprus, as two cities have shared the title every year since 2004. Which city in Cyprus, Larnaca (Larnaka) or Limassol, is at time of publishing not clear. 

This marks the fifth time Belgium will host a European Capital of Culture, following Antwerp in 1993, Brussels in 2000, Bruges in 2002 and Mons (Bergen) in 2015. The programme itself began in 1985 and has grown into one of Europe’s most significant cultural initiatives, designed to showcase the richness, diversity and common ground of European cultures while encouraging citizens across the continent to connect with one another.

“A collective victory”

Leyven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani (Vooruit) described the outcome as “a moment of collective victory”. He added: “Together with all 30 municipalities, with artists, residents, the university, schools, associations and partners, we have shown both ambition and the will to connect. 2030 will be a year not only of celebration but also of further building a liveable and warm region for everyone.”

Human, Nature, Innovation

The winning concept, HumanNature, builds on years of preparation and already includes 70 project ideas and hundreds of Belgian and European partners. Human, Nature and Innovation form the three pillars of LOV2030, reflecting themes deeply rooted in Leuven and its surrounding region while responding to urgent contemporary challenges such as polarisation, the climate crisis and the need for connection.

Artistic director Lore Baeyens explained: “We live in turbulent times, with war, division and distrust. Our programme HumanNature chooses connection and humanity. That is not only a symbolic choice, but also a strategic one: we can choose respect, empathy and collaboration. We choose LOV – the most radical connection in a human life. What a wonderfully beautiful gift that we can now really put this into action.”

A European jury’s recognition

Leuven’s strong international outlook, anchored by its renowned university and several art schools, also weighed heavily in the jury’s decision. The panel highlighted the way the city has confronted its complicated recent past, including its engagement with the Sanda Dia mural, while also drawing attention to Leuven’s cultural and natural assets, from the Grote Markt and Naamsestraat to the surrounding countryside and the Meerdaal Forest.

1,000 partners, 600 projects

LOV2030 already involves 1,000 partners, among them 400 European and 500 Belgian organisations. In 2030, more than 600 projects will come to life, half of them in the region itself.

Alderman for culture Bert Cornillie (Vooruit) underlined the scale of the years ahead: “The coming years will be intensive. Public space will receive new impulses, heritage will be rediscovered, artists will be given opportunities, residents will be engaged. From large-scale festivals to intimate neighbourhood projects, everyone will have the chance to experience and participate. Leuven and East Brabant are embarking on a period that will place us firmly on the European map and make us stronger for the future.”

A programme that connects

LOV2030 will bring a wide range of projects that reflect the spirit of the times and forge new connections, from international productions to local neighbourhood initiatives. Among the planned highlights are Dance Dance Revolution, an international festival celebrating Belgium’s rich dance scene; 30 Ways to LOV, a new art route along paths and cycle networks across 30 municipalities; First Light, a live XR and spatial audio event with AI storytelling; and Paint it, black, a Rock Werchter exhibition featuring visual works by artists from the 2030 line-up.

Other projects include Afrotronix, a celebration of African electronic music and culture; In the Neighbourhood, artist residencies in districts across the region; and Stadhuis – European House for Democracy, reopening Leuven’s City Hall as a shared space for art, ideas and action. 

There will also be Earthshakers, a multimedia production exploring humanity’s relationship with the earth; Bee Europe, creating algorithmically designed pollinator gardens across Leuven & Beyond; The World’s Smallest Queer Museum, a tiny museum in a former public toilet celebrating queer history; and Starry Nights, Starring Nature!, unplugged performing arts events staged entirely in nature. The historic Kweikersparade tradition will also be revived through participatory and artistic practices.

Alongside these flagship projects, there will be collaborative pathways, open calls and space for new initiatives to emerge.

Rival candidates Namur and Molenbeek

The announcement followed an intense competition. Namur, located at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, highlighted its historic centre, folklore traditions and its international digital arts festival KIKK. The city, recently ranked fifth among Europe’s top destinations by European Best Destinations – ahead of Amsterdam and Prague – also showcased its famed ‘Échasseurs Namurois‘ stilt walkers.

Molenbeek, meanwhile, sought to reframe its image, often overshadowed by associations with violence and political instability. 

Once described as a “hellhole” by then US president Donald Trump in 2016, the municipality is today home to one of Europe’s largest circus communities, numerous theatre groups, dance companies and social initiatives. With a youthful population – one in three residents is under 20 – the district presented itself as vibrant and creative. Some 200 volunteers helped clean its streets before the jury’s visit, but the lack of a functioning Brussels regional government was seen as weakening its chances.

Strategic partnerships

Leuven’s success also rests on strong partnerships. “LOV2030 can count on strategic partners who have supported the candidacy and will continue to strengthen it. Leuven’s networks Leuven 2030 (the city’s climate mission), Leuven MindGate (the innovation network) and SOM (Samen Onderwijs Maken – Together Shaping Education) are indispensable pillars of the bid. KU Leuven contributes not only budget but also academic knowledge and innovation. Leuven’s business community, from SMEs to multinationals, also supports LOV2030. Together with all our other partners, they form the foundation on which we will continue to build to anchor Leuven and East Brabant as European Capital of Culture,” said Stijn Devillé, general and artistic director of Het nieuwstedelijk, Leuven city theatre.

Thanks to all LOV’ers and candidate cities

The title, Leuven stresses, is not the city’s alone. Thousands of people contributed, including artists, volunteers, partners, residents, the university, schools and associations. Leuven also congratulated fellow candidate cities Bruges, Ghent, Kortrijk (Courtrai), Molenbeek and Namur: “They all demonstrated the transformative power of culture. We look forward to strengthening our cooperation with them. Together with Ottignies Louvain-la-Neuve and Mons2015 we are building the European dimension of LOV2030.”

European dimension and international context

LOV2030 sets out an ambitious story for Europe: Leuven as a cultural mission city and laboratory for the future. Through the LOV EU Academy and collaborations with European networks such as EUROCities and Culture Next, the project will reinforce its European profile. Tourism is also expected to benefit, with European Capitals of Culture attracting on average three million visitors. LOV2030 will complement the sustainable international tourism strategies of Visit Leuven, Visit Flemish Brabant and Visit Flanders.

Looking ahead, the programme of future Capitals of Culture is already set: Oulu in Finland and Trencín in Slovakia in 2026, followed by Liepaja in Latvia and Évora in Portugal in 2027. Cities in Czechia, France, North Macedonia, Poland and Sweden will take their turns before Leuven and Cyprus step into the spotlight in 2030.

European Capital of Culture for Belgium and Flanders

For Leuven and East Brabant, the title represents more than a year of celebration. It offers opportunities for economic growth, tourism, wellbeing and cultural participation. New infrastructure, sustainable networks and creative impulses will ensure a lasting impact. Leuven & Beyond aim to carry forward an ambitious and hopeful message: one of peace, connection and love – values the organisers say Europe needs today.

“We are European Capital of Culture on behalf of Belgium and Flanders. Our thanks go to all levels – local, regional, Flemish and federal – for their trust and financial commitment to our story of connection,” said Lore Baeyens. “But first we want to enjoy our victory together with the team and everyone who has supported us along the way.”

Stijn Devillé concluded: “Together we have written a story that is hopeful for Europe. To everyone who contributed: un grand merci.”

Reference region

A reference region in the Flemish Region is the framework against which intermunicipal cooperation is assessed. The concept was introduced to simplify the patchwork of existing collaborations, which had developed over time through intercommunal associations and mayoral consultations. A first legislative proposal was submitted in 2017, and in 2021 the decision was made to divide Flanders into 17 administrative or reference regions.

Following protests in Limburg against splitting the province into three, the Flemish government decided in 2022 that Limburg would remain a single region, making it the only province not subdivided. 

As a result, Flanders was ultimately divided into 15 reference regions. On 1 February 2023, the Flemish Parliament approved the decree on regional formation. Existing structures must adapt to the new framework by the end of 2030, while intermunicipal waste associations have until the end of 2036.

The reference regions largely follow the boundaries of existing arrondissements, with only a few exceptions. 

They are Bruges, Middenkust, Midwest, Westhoek, South-West Flanders, Ghent, Waasland, Dender region, Flemish Ardennes, Antwerp, Kempen, Rivierenland, Halle-Vilvoorde, East Brabant and Limburg.

This regionalisation is intended to provide a clearer and more coherent structure for cooperation between municipalities in Flanders, streamlining governance while still allowing some flexibility for existing arrangements to adapt over time.