What’s on this week: 24 to 30 July

Raise your eyes to catch a sight of St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral’s grand organ. Known as a “swallow’s nest organ”, it is mounted high on the wall in order to optimise the acoustics in the gothic building. The cathedral shows off its organ’s sublime sound during its annual Summer Organ Festival, a series of six free concerts on Tuesday evenings by Belgian and international soloists. They perform music ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach to Maurice Ravel, improvisation, which is a discipline closely associated with the pipe organ, as well as the influence of jazz on organ music. 28 July to 1 September, Esplanade de la Sinte-Gudule

Les Cœurs de Bois welcomes families to its annual summer season of theatrical adventures. Guignolet dans le parc stages a variety of shows (in French) in the open air with shelter in case of rain. Free entrance and suitable for ages 3+. Until 26 August, Wednesday-Sunday 15.00 (gate opens at 14.45), Chemin de l’Ombre, Bois de la Cambre

The Music Village proposes an evening of soul with Brussels singer-songwriter Aneta Nayan belting out the grooviest hits by Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Marvin Gaye, among others. Nayan’s powerhouse vocals are accompanied by a first-class band for a concert celebrating soul’s golden era. 25 July 20.30, Rue des Pierres 50

Villa Empain’s flagship summer show Diary of Happiness by French contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel presents large-scale ultra-colourful installations and delicate watercolours inspired by his 30 years of travel around the world. Like a travel notebook, the works are “part of my pursuit of happiness," Othoniel says. Highlights include glass hearts inspired by Japan, a bracelet-laden bicycle from India and Belgium-influenced ‘Magritte’ pipesas well as giant glass sculptures atop the Villa’s Art Deco outdoor pool. Until 4 October, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67 (Ixelles)

Brussels’ Design Museum dives into the fascinating world of furniture for little ones in the exhibition Designing Childhood: A History of Design for Children. The show explores how children’s furniture evolved throughout the 20th century, not only as functional objects, but as experimental spaces where designers tested new materials, production methods and lively forms, while also reflecting changing ideas about childhood within society and the family. Until 20 September, Place de Belgique, (Laeken)

For its second exhibition showing works from its extensive collections alongside modern and contemporary pieces, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts focuses on European abstraction. Collection Meets Spanish Artists reveals a fascinating period in post-war Spain when art was a subtle but powerful form of resistance to the Franco regime. Artists such as Manolo Millares, Manuel Mompó, Manuel Rivera and Antoni Tàpies defied local criticism to pursue experimental forms. Works in dialogue include pieces by contemporaries like Italian Lucio Fontana. Until 16 August,  Rue de la Régence 3

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The 25th edition of the Dinant Jazz Festival kicks off on Thursday evening with a concert at the Citadel of Dinant celebrating Belgian jazz by the Dinant Jazz Orchestra, featuring Grégoire Maret. There’s also plenty of other musical gems lined up, including guest of honour German trumpeter Till Brönner performing over three evenings, as well as Stéphane Mercier, Tutu Puoane, Gonzalo Rubalcaba Quartet and the Joe Lovano Paramount Quartet. Concerts are staged at abbey turned brewery (pictured above) which makes for a perfect setting. Until 26 July, Abbaye de Leffe, Dinant (Namur province)

The largest outdoor agricultural fair in Europe celebrates rural life in the Belgian Ardennes and beyond. Libramont Fair once again shows off its farming know-how to visitors from home and abroad with animals, sustainable farming, forestry and food - including local vineyards - all on display. The 90th edition with some 700 exhibitors and 2,800 animals offers a busy programme of activities. Its theme this year is youth in  ‘Cultive ton flow’. 24-27 July, Rue des Aubépines 50, Libramont (Luxembourg province)

Ostend’s performance festival TAZ offers some 500 theatre, musical theatre and dance productions in 40 different locations, from theatres and parks to beaches and cafes. There are separate programmes for children and for young people, and the WonderWaai in Leopold Park hosts a free daily programme of family-friendly performance and workshops. 29 July to 8 August, across Ostend

Amateur and professional florists are invading Reinhardstein castle with their blooms for Castelflora. The summer exhibition transforms the fairytale chateau in a village in the Hautes Fagnes region of East Belgium into a magical floral display where each room is decorated for the occasion.  An artisanal market is also set up in the castle’s courtyard along with a musical programme. 25 July to 2 August, Chemin du Cheneux 50, Ovifat (Liège province)

The fully restored 16th-century painting, the Crucifixion, is on display at the city of Mons’ art library, the Artothèque. Not only does the exhibition Fragile(s): Stories of Restored Heritage, unveil the historic work, it illustrates the art of restoration and scientific techniques employed. The painting also boasts a fascinating history. Stolen in 1980, it was returned to the city’s Collegiate Church of Saint Waudru and entrusted to the Artothèque for a complete restoration. Until 18 October, Rue Claude de Bettignies 1, Mons

Liège’s Grand Curtuis museum celebrates the Val Saint Lambert bicentenary with the exhibition Japonisme et Art Nouveau. Oriental art became fashionable from the 1880s and Belgium’s industrial and artistic powerhouse glass and crystal factory produced striking vases inspired by Japanese aesthetics. The originality of the Art Nouveau style at Val Saint Lambert resided in its modern line under chief designer Léon Ledru. His signature bold colours, progressive forms and dynamic curvilinear decorations reflected the creativity of pioneering Belgian designers. Until 27 September, Féronstree 136, Liège

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) goes to the heart of Belgian modernism in its new exhibition A Red that Sings. It focuses on three artists from its collection, supplement by loans: Ensor, Schmalzigaug and Wouters. Colour vibrates, moves and becomes a sensory force in their works as they sought new ways to visualise emotion and movement through powerful, vibrant pigments. Until 30 August, Leopold de Waelplaats 1, Antwerp

Discover the work of renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma in a major exhibition exploring his innovative approach to materials, space and nature. Presented at the Fondation Folon, Kengo Kuma Architecture highlights projects that blend tradition with contemporary design, emphasising lightness, transparency and a connection to the environment. Models, drawings and multimedia installations offer insight into one of the most influential architects of his generation. Until 13 September, Fondation Folon, Dreve de la Ramee 6A, La Hulpe (Walloon Brabant)

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: (main image) ©Summer Organ Festival; Diary of Happiness at Villa Empain Othoniel Studio Jean-Philippe Robin; Brussels Design Museum ©Magis; ©Royal Museums Fine Arts Belgium ©Artothèque; James Ensor Verbazing van het masker wouse KMSKA Collectie Vlaamse Gemeenschap; Yusuhara Bridge Japan ©Takumi Ota