More info and booking here:

https://www.kvs.be/en/Event/bridge-stories-1

Bridge Stories II

The idea for Bridge Stories was born during the harsh winter of 2022, when people were sleeping on the bridge near 'Klein Kasteeltje'. In addition to many acts of solidarity from neighbors providing food and shelter, Cinemaximiliaan felt the need to invite people to artistic expression – because art has the power to restore identity.

The project unfolds in four phases: engaging participants to tell their migration stories; creative workshops led by professional artists to develop literary texts, visuals, and audio; and, with the artistic company Needcompany, transforming this material into a live intercultural storytelling performance.

This participatory project is a shining example of the transformative power of art, giving a platform to newcomers' stories through text, performance, video, and music. Bridge Stories is a way to "bridge" the gap and strengthen connections between newcomers and locals.

The first public moment was during Passaporta festival where we told Bridge Stories at Beurschouwbourg. The next 'work in progress' is recordding a Podcast together with Passaporta. Eventually, Bridge Stories will premiere at the Royal Flemish theatre in Brrussels  KVS on 30th of January 2026.

Bridge Stories I

Bridge Stories storytelling performance by Cinemaximiliaan during Brussels 2030 summer assembly at @halles.be has been a great opportunity to tell stories from our neighbors who occupied the Bridge in front of Petit Chateau in early 2023 and show it on stage as part of Brussels candidacy program to be the cultural capital of Europe in 2030.

We told honest, truthful stories that were the result of several workshops and many layers of changes and modifications. The text was initially written through a collaborative workshop with our neighbors and friends of Cinemaximiliaan at Passa Porta. 

Bridge Stories started as a collaboration between Cinemaximiliaan and Passa Porta and was performed at Passaporta Festival (Mar. 23'), KU Leuven (Apr. 23') and in Molenbeek (Mayc 23') and was performed during summer assembly of Brussels2030 at Les Halles Schaarbeek on the 1st of July 2023.