Belgium brings to Havana proposals for cultural exchange

The 18th Belgian week in Havana will take place from November 1 to 15 with a variety of activities, from live music to the presence of comics, said here on Monday the Belgian Ambassador Jean-Jacques Bastien.    

In an interview with Prensa Latina, the diplomat stressed that prominent musicians from his country will participate, who will share with Cuban artists, while the world of comics will be present with Art Nouveau, drawing workshops and technology.

Bastien recalled that Art Nouveau celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, and although this artistic trend was born in Europe, it has exponents in Havana that he described as fantastic, as well as the Cuban cultural heritage in general.

The Belgian ambassador noted that Cuba is the only country outside Europe that belongs to the Art Nouveau network and from its experience can contribute a lot in this field.

Lysbeth Daumont, in charge of Cooperation and Culture at the Belgian Embassy told Prensa Latina that the event’s program includes the visit of several musicians from Belgium, such as Jef Neve, singer-songwriter Constanza Guzman and accordionist Tuur Florizoone.

The diplomat informed that for the first time a delegation of the Belgian Comic Center, a reference institution in this field that has its headquarters in an Art Nouveau building related to one of the precursors of this trend in Belgium, the architect Victor Horta, will be present on Cuba.

The director of that prestigious center, Isabelle Debekker, will participate here in a panel and four other contemporary comic artists will take part in workshops, conferences and exhibitions, Daumont said.

He stated that during the day there will be an Art Nouveau night at the Fabrica de Arte Cubano cultural center and the presentation of the magazine Kronicas-El inventario imaginario, by Cuban cartoonists.