BRUSK FEST Friday

The ambitious cultural‑historical exhibition 'Bigger Picture' sheds new light on Bruges as a medieval metropolis and shows how the city was connected to the rest of the world for centuries: from Jerusalem to Venice, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean and the “new” world.

Refik Anadol’s solo exhibition in Bruges is an absolute first for Belgium. For BRUSK, Anadol created a completely new immersive installation powered by data from the city of Bruges itself.

Discover Bar Brusk, the newest location of De Republiek, inside BRUSK. We’re opening with a festive twist — slightly different from how you’ll experience us later, but perfect for a first taste of what Bar Brusk stands for. A warm introduction that will make you want to return.

BRUSQUE is an artistic exploration of the acoustics of the new BRUSK building. In winter, Jelle Vos and Brecht Vanhoutte, together with Gerrit Valckenaers, entered the still empty large exhibition hall. By literally blowing sounds through the space and recording its reactions, they captured the "acoustic DNA" of the large hall. These recordings form the basis for the sound composition BRUSQUE, which can be heard along the path to BRUSK (from main entrance Dijver) during BRUSK FEST.

Belgian artist Lindert Steegen brings art to the people. He transforms gray areas into vibrant settings with a playful, positive impact on passersby. His recognizable, colorful style is the common thread throughout BRUSK FEST: his interventions appear unexpectedly in the festival zone and transform the surroundings into a cheerful canvas.

We kick off with an absolute bang: the official opening of the skate park and a spectacular skateboard demo. Expect no stiff ceremonies, just pure adrenaline. The Beastwood team and the best local riders take over the brand-new outdoor park for a demo that defies gravity. You don't want to miss this. Watch as the Beastwood crew shows what is possible on the new obstacles: Beau Brunclair, Jack Wachterlaer, Jerome Calcoen, Daniel Denolf, Ferre Buydaert, Sybren Vanlangenaker, Zeb Van Houte

Seen the demo? Now it's your turn! The pros make way for the first official Free Skate session at the new park at the Dijver. Be the first to test the curbs and rails at this unique location. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your skill level.

Sanne De Muynck — in addition to being a DJ, she is also an editor and publisher of the youth magazine BLVRD — serves a versatile selection of breakbeat, grime, UK garage, and ghetto house. The old-school hip-hop and drum 'n' bass influences from her teenage years form the basis for her enduring love for breaks and deep basslines — an energy that still clearly resonates in her sets today.

For Brussels-based DJ and label head AliA, groove is the common thread throughout her sets. Instead of sticking to one specific style, she lets herself be instinctively guided by the rhythm of her records and the energy of the dance floor. She effortlessly moves between house, techno, and broken beats and is known for her sets that combine depth, boldness, and a strong narrative with a flawless sense of timing and flow.

The Antwerp DJ Bibi Seck is known for her high-energy sets that set every dance floor ablaze. With a razor-sharp selection and lightning-fast mixes, she brings people together in a euphoric party frenzy bursting with fun and zest for life. Her arsenal? Disco, house, funk, electro, eighties, boogie — in short: everything groovy and irresistibly danceable.

Enjoy the flavours and atmosphere of Bar Brusk outside the building as well. At our pop‑up bars in the Arentshof and on the Dijver, you’ll find the same vibe, taste and hospitality as in our new home.