What's on this week: 21 June
Refugee food festival, 3D exhibition and cinema on the beach: our pick of events in Flanders and Brussels
FOOD&DRINK: Refugee Food Festival
The festival unfolds at eight Brussels restaurants including hip fusion bistro Gramm, organic haven Oficina and popular Sint-Gillis hangout Cipiace. For the occasion, these establishments’ resident chefs lend their kitchens to counterparts from Syria, Palestine, Kurdistan, Iraq and Somalia. It’s not just about exchanging flavours and ideas. The festival is also an opportunity for these expatriated chefs to establish professional networks in their new city. across Brussels, 19-25 June
FAMILY : Yale 3D World and Magic Fun
For its fifth edition, this family-friendly exhibition comes to the coast with a collection of innovative 3D and virtual reality technologies. Its classic offerings are still here, namely its collection of 3D sets in which visitors young and old can photograph themselves for a laugh. You’ll find exotic landscapes, glamorous celebrities and local kitsch. There’s also cutting-edge technology on display. This year’s new additions include an immersive augmented-reality experience that transports visitors into a zoo as well as a virtual reality “restaurant” where “meals” are digitally mapped on to the table surface. 24 June-3 September, Kursaal, Ostend
FILM: Filmophetstrand
It’s beginning to feel like summer and there’s nothing more summery than the beach. Filmophetstrand gives you one more reason to hit the coast. Every Thursday in July and August, Zeebrugge’s beach becomes a giant open-air cinema screening two youth-oriented matinees and an evening feature – all for free. The programme ranges from Hollywood blockbusters to European films. There’s even a few Flemish and Dutch productions, including Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth’s comedic road movie King of the Belgians and the animated children’s feature Rintje. 6 July-31 August, St. George's Day Wandeling, Zeebrugge
EVENT: Roller Bike Parade
Cyclists, boarders and skaters take to the streets every Friday throughout the summer for a mass guided ride through the car-free streets of Flanders’ cities, complete with travelling DJ. This week’s edition takes place in Ghent and sets off from the Dok Noord shopping centre. Upcoming events will also be held in Hasselt and Leuven, with weekly rides in Brussels suitable for both families and professionals. See the city from a new angle – just don’t forget your helmet and knee pads. Until 15 September, across Flanders
More events that deserve your attention
Kaiti Koullia: Blue Horizon: The singer from Kalymnos performs traditional Greek island songs, accompanied by Kyriakos Gkouventas on violin and Vasilis Smanis on lute and voice. 24 June 20.00, Art Base, Zandstraat 29 , Brussels
Picturing Belgium 14-18: Open-air exhibition in the park, featuring the most striking and intriguing photographs made in Belgium between 1914 and 1918. Until 17 September, Warandepark, Brussels
Brussels Film Festival: A regular fixture in the Flagey building, the festival features a mix of short, medium and full-length films, with an emphasis on new, mostly European work, and also includes concerts and open-air screenings. Until 23 June, Flagey, Heilig-Kruisplein 1, Brussels
Midzomernachtrun: Annual night run through the streets of Ghent, with a choice of three distances: 5, 10 or 15km, followed by a party. 24 June 22.00, Topsporthal Vlaanderen, Zuiderlaan 14, Ghent
Monnikenmarkt: Fourth edition of the cosy market featuring artisans making their crafts, regional products for the tasting, art, workshops, demonstrations and vintage and lifestyle items. 25 June, Monnikenhof van Vlierbeek, Kasteellaan , Geetbets (Flemish Brabant)
Ink Mania: International tattoo lifestyle event featuring 350 tattoo artists, live music, cars and motorcycles. 24-25 June, Grenslandhallen, Gouv. Verwilghensingel 70, Hasselt
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