Charm offensive: Molenbeek's street festival sets city sights on becoming EU culture capital in 2030

The Belgian town of Molenbeek has been undergoing a dramatic transformation this week to drive the Brussels district's dreams of becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2030.

Renowned artists and mediators have been leading workshops with the community, one of the most diverse of the Belgian capital, to create costumes, choreography and music for use in parades, circus acts, dance, theatre and other performances.

"What is most important is that there are a lot of projects in public spaces, a lot of projects that directly involve residents. These are very often free, intergenerational projects", Jan Goossens, co-mission holder of Molenfest2025 told Euronews .

For the organisers, this second edition is also a time to demonstrate how deserving Molenbeek is of being crowned European Capital of Culture in 2030.

The European Capital of Culture is an EU-funded initiative to celebrate diversity and an opportunity for a city to generate considerable cultural, social and economic benefits, and boost transformation of urban areas.

"The dream began in 2016, after the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels, when Molenbeek became known throughout the world", said Fatima Zibouh, co-mission holder of Molenfest2025, remembering that several of the terrorists were from the neighbourhood.

"This candidacy is an opportunity to show another Molenbeek, that is rich in its diversity, its youth, its culture, its art", she adds.

The festival celebrates solidarity and wants to highlight how this community spirit is the answer to gaining a new reputation and presents economic opportunities to help the area rise from the ashes of a former industrial center.

Molenbeek's challenges are the same as those across Europe

Molenbeek has about 95,000 inhabitants, from 140 nationalities, and 40% are under 20 years old. Therefore, almost half of the population was very young when the terrorist attacks occurred. But the neighbourhood wants this dark page in its history to be turned.

"In peace, in celebration, in sharing, this is how we can truly show everyone that this neighbourhood is not a dangerous neighbourhood, it is not a rotten neighbourhood. On the contrary, it is a neighbourhood where life is good, where everyone is invited to come", said Jan Goossens.

"Molenbeek symbolises all the challenges you face in other European cities in terms of diversity, youth, climate change, freedom, and security", added Fatima Zibouh.

"How do we live together in cities that are increasingly diverse? How do we address socioeconomic inequalities? How do we bring more nature into the city? These are real challenges in Molenbeek, but they are real European challenges as well", said Zibouh.

The festival is the result of partnerships in which the Kanal Foundation and the Maison des Cultures et de la Cohésion Sociale de Molenbeek are two of the main driving forces. The Kanal/Pompidou Center, that will shelter the first Museum of Modern and Contemporary art in Brussels - which will open its doors at the end of 2026 - is expected to be a new hub for the revitalization of Molenbeek's, Quartier Nord and Laeken neighbourhoods.

In addition to the "living art" practiced in its dance studios, galleries, theaters and other cultural spaces, the ECOC2030 candidacy also draws on Molenbeek's cultural heritage: 16 monuments and 9 historical sites are also its calling cards.

The decision on whether Molenbeek, or Namur or Leuven, the other two Belgian cities in the running for ECOC2030, is selected, will be announced on 24 September 2025.