For its sixth edition, LUNALIA, the spring festival of Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen, once again takes over Mechelen's city center from April 22 to May 7 and, together with its partners, arts center nona and Cultuurcentrum Mechelen, presents a rich and adventurous program. As a preview of the spring festival LUNALIA, several free activities are scheduled in March.
On Tuesday evening March 7, Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen and UiT in Mechelen organize the successful formula Maanstaren op de Toren for the third time.
In the hometown of the Maneblussers and of the festival Lunalia, every full moon is an extra special moment. Come along with the festival team and Lieselot De Wilde to gaze at the moon from the top of the Sint-Romboutstoren. There will be a brief presentation of the project Figurine and the Lunalia program beforehand.
On the occasion of International Women's Day 2023, Stad Mechelen and LUNALIA present a panel discussion on music and gender on March 8. Writer Gaea Schoeters, singer Elise Caluwaerts, musicologist Lieselotte Bijnens and violinist Ann Cnop will be present, along with moderator Jana Kerremans. Starting points include Dead Ladies Show, Alma Mahler, female pioneers of baroque music and female composers in Flanders.
This discussion is part of the theme of International Women's Day 2023: "Embrace equity", a theme that Stad Mechelen is strongly committed to. Alderman for diversity and equal opportunities Gabriella De Francesco: "To this day, women are confronted with unequal rights and opportunities. So too in the world of art, culture and literature. In Mechelen, we work every day for equal opportunities, but Women's Day gives us a platform to pay extra attention to women who fought against the tide in the past for their ideals and dreams and women who make a difference today. It is a day to share knowledge, foster awareness and strengthen the positive message of gender equality in all areas of life. Exactly what this panel discussion also stands for. With these strong women at the table, it promises to be exciting!"
In preparation for the discussion, Rebecca Diependaele wrote the essay They have waited long enough. Another basis is formed by the essay Leading women: Female composers in Flanders by Lieselotte Bijnens: "The idea that a composer is a white Western man who writes classical music is far from being a thing of the past. The fact that we still often speak of 'female composers' proves that composing women are still seen more as an exception than as a rule. Women and minorities still struggle to build a career as a composer due to a lack of representation and the prejudices that come with it. There is a need for clarification about the absence of women and minorities in music history and there is a need for more attention to those who were there, so that there are inspiring examples for new generations. Those who see themselves reflected will be more inclined to aspire to a career as a composer themselves."
A project by Stad Mechelen and Lunalia (Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen) in collaboration with MATRIX [Centre for New Music] and Kunstenpunt.