Leuven
Belgium
Leuven is a bustling city with a strong international allure and traits of a true metropolis: creativity, versatility, diversity and also nightlife, history and culture.
170+ nationalities call Leuven home. Thanks to the KU Leuven, the city is jampacked with students, professors, innovators and inventors. Leuven is also the first European Capital of Innovation. With a vibrant culture, arts and heritage field there is never a dull moment.
The rich history is visible in the cultural, architectural and industrial heritage. Key to the Leuven soul? True partnership. Public services, businesses, residents, the university and research organisations all work as one towards a brighter future for all.
ECOC
In 2030, a Belgian city will be the cultural capital of Europe. Leuven and the region of East Brabant – Leuven & Beyond – are applying as LOV2030.
Leuven announced in 2017 its candidacy to become European Capital of Culture 2030.
Since then, quite a bit of work has been done: stepping stones have been prepared, milestones scheduled and a major participation process to activate the cultural sector, citizens and businesses is in the works.
In 2024 Leuven was selected as one of the 3 last finalists to become European Capital of Culture 2030. In summer 2025 we delivered our final bid book. By the end of september 2025 we will know which finalist will become European Capital of Culture in 2030.
Together with the entire region, we will break out of our bubbles and build radically new connections, against polarisation and against the climate crisis.
KU[N]ST Leuven vzw, a collaboration between the city of Leuven en the University of Leuven, realizes large-scale cultural festivals. KU[N]ST Leuven vzw acts on behalf of the city of Leuven as a full member of Culture Next.
Leuven’s rich history and the scientific research of KU Leuven, come together in a fascinating way: the programme is a result of collaboration with Leuven-based partners from the cultural and heritage sector and the scientific and tourist field. The projects are all aimed at a broad audience from Leuven, the wider region of Flanders, Belgium, and further afield. Given its hands-on experience, it is only logical that KU[N]ST Leuven is the engine driving the ECOC process. To facilitate and deepen cooperation with partners in the city and the wider region, KU[N]ST Leuven is about to transform into a broader network organisation, which includes various stakeholders from different sectors.
Who represents the city
The Department for Culture consists of the Cultural Center 30CC, the City Library and the Cultural Heritage and Archives department and counts around 150 people. Before, Piet Forger has been the director of several cultural centers and of the umbrella organizations of all cultural centers in the province of Flemish Brabant (Vlabra’ccent) and in Flanders (Fevecc). For more than 5 years he has been the Deputy Director of CultuurNet Vlaanderen (nowadays ‘publiq’) an expertise centre at Flemish level, that focuses on audience development. Besides this Piet Forger was a member of the National Advisory Body for the Minister of culture in Flanders for more than 10 years . At this moment he is member of the board of several art organizations in the city of Leuven such as Museum M, arts center STUK, music center Het Depot and others. Piet Forger is also the initiator and vice president of Vitamine C, a network in Flanders, Belgium of people in the cultural field who stand up for art and culture as vital vitamins for young people. At European level, Piet Forger is member of the board of the European Network of Cultural Centers and connects to other networks such as EUROCITIES and Trans Europe Halles. Piet Forger studied law and cultural studies at the university of Leuven, Belgium.
Contact
Professor Van Overstraetenplein 1, 3000 Leuven, België
piet.forger@leuven.be
https://www.lov2030.be/en/?lang=en
+32 472443781
