Our artistic lines

The specific cultural activities in Ghent2030 are determined through a co-creative process. Ghent has a long tradition of participation, and once again, we are working 'tuupetegoare' (together). Together with Gentenars and non-Gentenars, artistic creators and organizations, representatives from various sectors,... in short, everyone, we are shaping the cultural program of Ghent2030. The characteristics of Ghent (social, rebellious, and a city of water) have been translated into three program lines:

Fallow land was originally agricultural land left unused for one or more years to allow the soil to recover. Nowadays, it refers to land that temporarily does not serve its intended purpose. This period of rest not only offers recovery but also creates space for unexpected creativity and a new beginning. Sometimes, it is essential to take time to recharge and focus on what truly matters: connecting with oneself and others. In this empty space, the rules that govern our thinking and actions fade, creating room for new inspiration and insights. This process gives both individuals and the community a fresh impulse.

Just as "rewilding" in ecology means making natural areas wilder by managing them less and allowing nature to take its course, in Ghent, we also want to promote "rewilding" culturally. We want to intentionally and thoughtfully create space for wild ideas, utilize circular opportunities in vacant properties, and stimulate creative growth by making administrative and funding processes more accessible and less burdensome. In this way, culture remains the fertile ground on which the city can thrive.

On a European scale, fallow land refers to our handling of (public and privatized) space and our relationship with nature. It is also relevant in the farmers' protests in various parts of Europe, the growing ideological polarization between urban and rural areas, and the necessity of a short-chain economy for the future. How can Europe continue to reinvent itself as an innovative space for unprogrammed experimentation?

Ghent arose where the Leie and Scheldt rivers converge, at what is now Portus Ganda. In the Middle Ages, this extensive water network was crucial for the city, and it still plays an important role today. It keeps the city cool, and water buffers provide protection during floods, such as in the Gentbrugse Meersen. Water is a precious resource; the port of Ghent employs 70,000 people. Yet, we often underestimate the importance of water until there is a shortage, such as during hot summers.

Just as water connects us, our human networks are essential for a healthy society. In times of uncertainty and increasing tensions, we must create new social connections to remain resilient. Water symbolizes these essential connections and the ability to overcome obstacles. It is everywhere, just like the need for unity and cooperation.

Water should—indeed, must—be a top priority on the European agenda, as droughts, forest fires, and floods increasingly threaten the continent. For this reason alone, Zeeland is a highly valuable partner: they certainly understand what water means and how to manage it. Metaphorically, social cohesion (water as a web) is a major challenge for many policymakers at home and abroad. How do we get different worlds to flow into each other again, beyond the increasingly sophisticated filter bubbles of social media?

There is much value in the margins, from the canal villages around Ghent to border areas outside Europe. These places offer a different perspective on the center and the prevailing norms. What if the center were to adapt to the periphery instead of the other way around? Embracing border areas can lead to decentralization and rethinking established thought patterns and power structures. This raises questions about power, legitimacy, and ownership: who gets to decide what? The margins shed light on our relationship with the "abnormal," unheard voices, and our personal boundaries. They invite reflection on perspective and ownership.

Within the geography of Europe, the concept of margin brings up questions of power imbalances, but also of ownership within every cultural system. The interaction between cultural core institutions and grassroots movements is one of the most pressing issues across cultural Europe: how do we open up and connect our institutions more effectively? Migration and European border politics are the number one hot topic. And mental vulnerability is just as significant.