The theme of this fourteenth edition is 'Moments of Truth'. In a time when we are daily flooded with information, images and opinions via, among other things, social media, Musica Divina poses a simple question: when do we experience something as real? Sometimes that happens during a conversation, a walk or a moment of silence. Sometimes it happens during music or a concert. That is real and at the same time both meaningless and meaningful.
This idea runs like a red thread through the festival programme. From centuries-old vocal polyphony to musical stories about love, loss, ecstasy and connection and here and there also some interesting cross-over music. Internationally renowned artists and ensembles such as DionysosNow!, Constantinople, BRYGGEN Bruges Strings, ORLANDOviols, Graindelavoix, Utopia and the Vlaams Radiokoor present concerts at unique locations including Averbode, Tongerlo, Postel, Hoogstraten, Lier, Turnhout, Geel and Herentals.
A special premiere is the appointment of the first festival composer. Young Antwerp composer Noah Senden wrote a new work specially for Musica Divina that will be performed by various ensembles throughout the festival. For this commission, he spent a week at Averbode Abbey, where he was inspired by the silence, the surroundings and the festival theme. In addition, visitors can experience an immersive sound installation that builds on the same composition.
In addition to the concerts, Musica Divina also offers space for meeting and experience, with activities around nature, philosophy, meditation and listening. In this way, the festival is more than a concert series. It is an invitation to leave the hustle and bustle of the news behind for a while, to be present attentively and to discover new things.
Musica Divina 2026 takes place from 17 September to 4 October at various heritage locations in the Kempen. More information and tickets are available at www.musica-divina.be.