The Scheldevallei forms this summer's source for STROOM. From 23 June to 3 July 2022, this new festival takes you on a discovery tour full of music and art along the most beautiful nature in the Scheldevallei. It promises to be a well-filled programme with large outdoor concerts, intimate musical experiences, sustainable discourse and an art route in 23 municipalities.
STROOM is the newest addition to the festival family of Gent Festival van Vlaanderen, which has been keeping its finger on the pulse of society for 65 years. "Once again, we combine our broad view of the world with our own surroundings and address a relevant theme. The Scheldevallei is our dream biotope for this new project on nature and climate", says Veerle Simoens, general and artistic director of Gent Festival.
© Cees van de Ven
Kasteel d'Ursel // © Joris Ceuppens
© Anton Coene // Sohnarr Sjel
© Alique Van Nes
A full calendar
It will be a varied programme. "Composer Jef Neve and writer David Van Reybrouck specially wrote Rain Requiem for the festival's opening in Sint-Amands, a requiem for the planet we may be carrying to our grave together. STROOM will also settle for a whole day in Dendermonde with 'Dender Discover', with multiple carefully designed programmes at special locations in the city. And the garden of the beautiful Kasteel D'Ursel in Hingene also forms the setting for some romantic concerts", festival manager Sophie Detremmerie entices with part of the extensive music programme. The musical programme will be supplemented with inspiring climate discourse on microplastics, an art route, poetry by the Climate Poets and art installations by Sohnarr and Joris Blanckaert. Tom Wezenbeek, coordinator of fellow initiator Rivierpark Scheldevallei: "We are working hard to have the Scheldevallei recognised as a national park. With this festival, we give that ambition force. Our unique natural areas are the ideal place to pause and reflect on climate, nature and sustainability through the arts."
STROOM continues
After the 11-day event, the festival continues flowing throughout the summer. #herecomestheflood, the photo project by Dutch artist Rem van den Bosch, takes centre stage. Along the banks of the Schelde, the Durme and the Rupel, he photographed silent messengers that indicate water levels in a dangerous flood without the protection of dikes or other Sigmaplan measures. The images will be visible throughout the summer on a walking and cycling route through 23 municipalities of the Scheldevallei. They also form the starting point for guided walks, cycling tours, activities and numerous events in July and August.
STROOM is a powerful lever to put the entire region further on the map and lets visitors discover the beautiful chain of blue and green gems between Gent and Antwerpen. In addition to the richly filled programme, the spectacular nature, charming villages and stately castles of the Schelde make it more than worthwhile to make the festival a real multi-day trip with overnight stay.
Tickets & info
You can buy tickets for STROOM from Thursday 21 April at 2 pm. More info and the programme can be found at www.festivalstroom.be
Festival STROOM can take place thanks to the support of the Flemish government:
"The Schelde is Flanders' flowing heart. Along its banks you will find world ports, industrial relics, picturesque villages and beautiful, unique nature. It is also a river basin with enormous assets, but with equally great challenges. From the end of June, this mighty river will form the setting for a summer full of art, culture and recreation. Between Antwerpen and Gent you can discover a programme full of heritage, concerts and interesting discussions. Anyone who did not yet know the Scheldevallei is guaranteed to become a fan!"
Jan Jambon, Minister-president of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Culture, Digitalisation and Facility Management
Zuhal Demir, Flemish Minister of Justice and Enforcement, Environment, Energy and Tourism
Matthias Diependaele, Flemish Minister of Finance and Budget, Housing and Real Estate Heritage