OdeGand Soirée spreads music across city squares and along the waterfront on 16.09!

On Saturday, September 16, Ghent's city center transforms once again into a patchwork of cultural delight. During the day, OdeGand En Route guides visitors along eleven musical routes featuring artists from all corners of the world. In the evening, OdeGand spreads its musical tentacles across the city center, on central squares and along the waterways. With this, the annual event takes a new direction after twenty years. The unofficial opening of the cultural season starts again with a whirlwind of world sounds. At numerous locations in Ghent's city center, culture enthusiasts can satisfy their musical hunger thanks to a blend of diverse styles. From sizzling sounds from the Balkans, devilish violin music or steamy tango straight from Argentina. Even more cultural abundance makes the city vibrate further in the evening on dance podiums and open-air concerts along the enchanting Ghent waterways. Here too, a multitude of sounds and unique artistic encounters are on the menu that will take you to another world, featuring both classical, contemporary, and everything in between.

Urban, crooner or waltz?

As evening falls, three international acts are scheduled on adjacent central squares. The Korenlei makes way for a bigband with swinging crooner who seems to have been catapulted straight from the 1940s, Sint-Baafsplein is dedicated to the Viennese waltz and the Vrijdagmarkt is ruled by urban and hip-hop. The performances on the squares are free for everyone and, just like during the day, the public can move from one concert to another to catch everything. Moreover: those who don't want to stand still during the concerts are invited to show off their favorite dance moves in front of the stage.

Music expands along the water

But it's not just the squares that are ablaze; there's even more culture to experience along the water. At five hidden locations along Ghent's inner waterways, a series of evening concerts and performances take place. The boat tours start from the Korenlei and visitors can enjoy an artistic experience route with plenty of exciting performances until midnight. The musical boat trips depart at 19:30, 21:15 and 23:00. For those who want to get a ticket, it is advisable to be quick.

Broader, not less restrained

Last year, extreme weather conditions forced the organization to cancel the fireworks spectacle at the Gras- and Korenlei and move it to 't Kuipke for the twentieth edition of OdeGand. However, the fact that this year there is also a choice not to conclude with fireworks is in line with the evolving spirit of the times. Veerle Simoens, director Gent Festival: "In '20 and '21 we also shaped the closing of OdeGand in a different way and we want to continue with this momentum. With this renewed finale of dance, boats and music, we reach even more people, where everyone can find their taste in the rich cultural offering. OdeGand celebrates all day long, from afternoon into the late hours, and takes over even more of the entire city."

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WHAT: OdeGand

WHERE: Gent

WHEN: September 16

www.odegand.be