Win a weekend pass to Brussels’ original Ideas Festival from 20 to 22 November

The Brussels Ideas Festival is back for its fifth edition with a full weekend of thought-provoking talks, in-depth conversations, creative activities and performances around the theme ‘Connection’ from 20 to 22 November.

In an increasingly fractured world, how can individuals feel a connection with one another? The festival seeks to address this worrying phenomenon by exploring the threads that bind us. “We live in the most connected age in human history, and yet loneliness and a sense of helplessness about world events are widespread,” say organisers.

“So we examine connections in several forms: between individuals, across disciplines, from the local to the global, and between people and machines,” they add, describing the festival as an alternative to a world in business-as-usual mode.

“Three mind-expanding days that nurture mind, body and soul. The whole festival takes place under one roof, with unhurried sessions that leave time to enjoy, meet people and talk.”

The Ideas Festival remains a unique event in the Belgian cultural landscape. Since 2013, Full Circle has offered an inspiring annual programme bringing together thinkers and doers, public intellectuals and changemakers to Brussels to share their ideas in original formats and sustain key conversations with diverse audiences.

Guest speakers

Among the keynote talks by leading international thinkers, environmental geopolitics expert and media commentator François Gemenne challenges conventional wisdom and asks whether fear is standing in the way of climate action. Award-winning investigative journalist Kenneth R. Rosen turns to the melting Arctic region to reflect on the new reality for people, communities and their land.

Meanwhile, critical theorist and viral social media educator Louisa Toxvaerd Munch digs into the politics of nostalgia and disconnection, unpacking what genuine belonging could look like instead. AI researcher and author James Muldoon examines people’s emotional entanglement with AI and ponders what it means for human connection when so many are falling for machines built to profit from their sorrows.

Finally, acclaimed broadcaster and author of An African History of Africa, Zeinab Badawi, reminds us that understanding where we come from is the first step to understanding who we are to each other.

Culture & wellbeing

The festival opens with the Connection Art Show, featuring emerging and established artists (free entry), and a Poetry Open Mic open to all.

On Saturday, there’s a painting session, a performance of music and art by celebrated violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved and composer Nigel Clarke, who also present a surprise premiere composed from objects brought by the audience, while a live music concert closes the evening. Sunday offers a creative workshop on writing fiction in a second language and Gong Baths are scheduled throughout the day.

Conversations & workshops

Flamingo Collective leads an interactive session on building and keeping community - from the global to the Brussels level, before Pauline Arnould leads a hands-on workshop on zine-making in which she traces the punk and feminist roots of the fanzine and helps participants make their own.

Critical AI scholar Benedetta Brevini leads a conversation on the future of education and critical thinking, while Women Against Fascism enters into conversation with fascism scholar Martina Salvante and nostalgia expert Louisa Toxvaerd Munch.

Finally, journalist and podcast host James Kanter returns with his popular live news commentary on Europe and beyond, with guest reporters.

Competition for emerging writers

The festival runs a creative writing contest for new writers, on the theme of Connection, which closes at 23.59 CET on 11 November. Winners will be announced at the festival.

Tickets

Full weekend passes are €85 (€75 for Full Circle members), with day passes priced from €40 to €50. Concession passes (under-18s, students, interns and the unemployed) are €35 for the weekend and €20 per day. People who cannot afford a ticket can get in touch for free access.

Brussels Ideas Festival
20-22 November
Full Circle House
Chaussée de Vleurgat 89
Ixelles

Win! A weekend pass to the festival. Simply fill in your details below. We'll email you on Monday (9 November) if you've won.