AGP Executive Report

West Bank Attack: Belgium’s consul general, French and Polish diplomats, Catholic representatives and a French mayor were targeted by masked settlers near Taybeh during the olive harvest. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the attack and called for those responsible to face justice; Israeli police have opened an investigation, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged caution over the accounts. Protests at Home: Demonstrations over education costs and living expenses turned violent in Brussels and Liège, where police used tear gas and water cannon. Student concerns include access to higher education, while the wider protests reflect mounting pressure on household budgets. Culture & Outings: Ghent is in the spotlight with a major retrospective of Belgian Impressionist Jenny Montigny, while Pumpkinmania brings its seasonal festival to Groot-Bijgaarden Castle.

Education Protests: Clashes broke out in Brussels on Saturday as students protested education reforms, rising costs and austerity; police used tear gas and water cannon. A march in Liège was peaceful. Autumn Outings: Pumpkimania has taken over Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, while Ostend’s shrimp croquette festival has broken attendance records. Art & Culture: Brussels Airlines’ African art exhibition has arrived at Tour & Taxis, and Ghent is showcasing a major retrospective of Belgian impressionist Jenny Montigny. Music & Memory: Rwandan singer Suzanne Nyiranyamibwa, who spent decades in Belgium and helped lead the Isamaza cultural troupe, has died aged 83.**

Autumn Outings: Pumpkimania has taken over Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, bringing a seasonal festival to the historic grounds. Art & Heritage: Brussels Airlines’ African art exhibition has arrived at Tour & Taxis, while Ghent is spotlighting Belgian impressionist Jenny Montigny in a major retrospective. Film: The Brussels International Women’s Film Festival is celebrating world cinema. Education: Belgian students have joined protests over education cuts and teaching conditions, with demonstrations also reflecting concerns about young people’s futures. Food & Drink: A new recognition for Flemish hops aims to encourage local breweries to use home-grown ingredients.

Autumn Outing: Pumpkimania has turned Groot-Bijgaarden Castle into a pumpkin-filled forest, with family workshops, lake rides in giant pumpkins and a 772-kilogram showpiece. Organisers expect about 50,000 visitors before the festival closes on 1 November. African Art in Brussels: Brussels Airlines’ AfriConnections exhibition brings works by 15 artists from across Africa to Tour & Taxis, free to visit from 16 to 30 October. It’s the final stop on a tour that began in April. Ghent Art: MSK Gent is showcasing the work of impressionist Jenny Montigny, whose paintings and prints capture everyday life in Flanders, London and beyond. Youth & Education: Student protests over school conditions, teacher shortages and education costs have spread to Belgium, as young people across Europe demand better support and opportunities.

Brussels After Dark: Museum Night Fever opens 28 museums late on Saturday, Oct. 17, with cabaret, live tattoo performances, dance and afterparties; a shuttle connects venues. Art & Design: Bozar pairs Belgian artist Edith Dekyndt with Balenciaga archives in The Fabric Decides, on view through Jan. 31. Belgian studio Futurewave has also unveiled Arc, a silver bracelet that gently nudges wearers to take a break from their phones. Live Music: AEG Presents has acquired Auguri Productions, whose artist-development work includes Stromae and Angèle. Local Flavours: Ostend’s shrimp-croquette festival has broken records again, celebrating a Belgian coastal favourite.

Local Food Heritage: Hops and hop shoots from the Aalst, Affligem and Asse region have been recognised as Flemish regional products, celebrating centuries of cultivation and encouraging breweries to use local ingredients. Classical Music: The Brussels Cello Festival returns to Flagey from 30 October to 1 November, with eight concerts featuring Queen Elisabeth Competition winner Ettore Pagano, the Brussels Philharmonic and a family-friendly Bach-to-Harry-Potter programme. Wildlife on Screen: More than 400 people watched a Sri Lankan nature documentary made for RTBF at Namur’s international nature festival; the film is due to air in November. Belgian Music Abroad: Techno star Charlotte de Witte made her Egyptian debut at the inaugural Starlight Festival, staged beside the Great Pyramids of Giza on 9 and 10 October.

Film in Brussels: The Brussels International Women’s Film Festival runs through 21 October, with more than 40 films by women directors at cinemas around the capital. Highlights include international shorts and an audio-described screening for blind and visually impaired audiences. On Stage in Antwerp: Six ageing acrobats bring GLORIOUS BODIES to the city this month, spotlighting performers’ bodies and artistry over time. At Bozar: Irish tenor Emmet Cahill, uilleann piper Mark Redmond and the Brussels Philharmonic perform on 27 October in a charity gala supporting projects for women and children. Belgian Food Traditions: Ostend’s shrimp croquette festival has broken records again, celebrating one of the coast’s best-loved specialties. Ghent’s Architecture: A new guide traces the city’s built heritage from Gothic landmarks to Brutalism, showcasing Ghent as a cultural destination.

Live Music: Brussels is on Ayra Starr’s 2027 tour itinerary: the Afrobeats star will bring her Starrgirl World Tour to the city during its European leg. Cultural Landmark: Ancienne Belgique is set for a new chapter. A Stirling Prize-finalist architecture firm will plan updates to the historic venue, aiming to expand it into a year-round “House of Music” while preserving its character. Art & Memory: Mark Hogancamp’s Marwencol—a handmade miniature village inspired by Belgium—grew from a personal recovery project into an internationally exhibited artwork. Belgian Flavours: Ostend’s shrimp croquette festival drew more than 84,000 visitors and sold over 60,000 croquettes, setting records for its sixth edition. Art in Bruges: A new monograph explores Refik Anadol’s AI-powered installations, created from city archives and shown at Bruges’ BRUSK gallery.

Belgian Tennis: Zizou Bergs scored the biggest win of his career in Shanghai, beating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets and reaching the tournament’s fourth round. Culture & Innovation: Charleroi is among the first cities to receive WIPO’s new City of Innovation award, recognising its plans to support research, creative industries and links between universities and businesses. Royal Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde explored Kazakh cultural heritage and joined a forum on education and research, where Belgian and Kazakh universities signed cooperation agreements. Education & Society: A Belgian teacher was dismissed after refusing to remove her headscarf, prompting renewed debate over religious expression in schools. Public Life: Unions and students took to the streets across Belgium over austerity, education cuts and climate policy; a Brussels transport strike also disrupted metro, tram and bus services.

Brussels Unrest: Ten people, including nine minors, were arrested after clashes near Brussels-Midi on Monday, as protests over education cuts and austerity continued. Royal Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde explored Kazakhstan’s heritage in Astana, where a museum exhibition also featured Belgian artist James Ensor. Belgian Tennis: Zizou Bergs scored the biggest win of his career, knocking Carlos Alcaraz out of the Shanghai Masters. Culture & Innovation: Charleroi was named one of the first WIPO Cities of Innovation, an award celebrating cities’ plans to foster creativity. Higher Education: Belgian doctoral candidates ranked third for starting pay in a 26-country survey, at about €50,800 a year.

Belgian Tennis: Zizou Bergs stunned world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in Shanghai, winning 7-5, 7-6 to claim the biggest victory of his career. Culture & Innovation: Charleroi was named one of the first WIPO Cities of Innovation, alongside Liverpool and Shanghai, for plans to nurture creativity and new ideas. On Stage: Antwerp’s hetpaleis hosts GLORIOUS BODIES on 18 October, a circus-and-dance show featuring six acrobats aged 56 to 68. Public Life: Tens of thousands joined an anti-austerity march in Brussels, with transport disrupted and clashes reported; unions are building toward a general strike in November. Cultural Exchange: Kazakhstan’s flag was raised at Brussels’ Grand-Place during events celebrating ties between the two countries.

Daily Disruptions: A nationwide public-sector strike disrupted trains, buses, schools, broadcasting, postal services and waste collection across Belgium on Monday. Royal Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s historic Kazakhstan visit is putting cultural exchange in the spotlight, with plans linking Belgian and Kazakh museums, universities and cultural institutions, including an exhibition of James Ensor’s work. At-Home Culture: BBC Lifestyle and EastEnders channels are coming to Belgium on Samsung TV Plus, adding food, travel, design and British drama to its free streaming lineup. Belgian Sporting Moment: Zizou Bergs stunned Carlos Alcaraz in Shanghai, scoring the biggest win of his career at the Masters tournament. Luxury Scene: The Zoute Concours auction in Knokke-Heist set a Belgian record, selling €34.6 million worth of collector cars.

Belgian Cinema: Cairo’s 47th International Film Festival will feature Belgian-linked films, including Heysel 85, Strawberries and The Green Eyes; Belgian director Laura Wandel will also join the jury. Music & Exchange: Brussels Philharmonic opened its season with Qatari composer Nasser Sahim’s works, blending Arab musical traditions with orchestral sound. Built Heritage: A new look at Belgium’s post-war modernism spotlights striking designs at risk of neglect or demolition. Royal Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are due to open an exhibition of Belgian painter James Ensor’s work during their Kazakhstan state visit. Belgian Flavours: A look at how Lotus’s speculoos became the Biscoff cookie now served around the world.

Music & Cultural Exchange: The Brussels Philharmonic opened its 25th season with Qatari composer Nasser Sahim’s original works, blending Arab musical traditions with contemporary orchestral sound. Belgian Heritage: A new feature makes the case for preserving Belgium’s often-overlooked post-war modernist architecture, from Brussels’ futuristic Pannenhuis station to Hugo Van Kuyck’s buildings. Film: Belgian cinema is in the spotlight at Cairo’s International Film Festival: Heysel 85 and The Green Eyes are in competition, while director Laura Wandel joins the jury. Royal Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde begin a state visit to Kazakhstan, where they are due to open an exhibition of Belgian artist James Ensor’s work and meet students. Food Culture: The story of Biscoff traces how Lotus Bakeries’ Belgian coffee biscuit went from a local favourite to an international hit.

Brussels Protests: Friday’s anti-austerity march drew about 30,000 people, while separate clashes near the central station saw masked youths throw rocks and firecrackers and set fires. Police used tear gas and water cannons; prosecutors say 21 people, including 17 minors, were detained. Ghent’s Creative Scene: The city’s architectural mix—from medieval landmarks to Brutalist design—gets fresh attention as its Design Museum reopens, alongside galleries and cultural spaces in converted buildings. Crossing Cultures: Brussels Philharmonic opened its 25th season with Qatari composer Nasser Sahim’s music, blending Arab traditions and European orchestral sounds with musicians from Qatar. Royal Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde begin a visit to Kazakhstan, where an exhibition of Belgian artist James Ensor is among the cultural events; the programme also includes a stop at a children’s rehabilitation centre. Belgian Wellness Heritage: The word “spa” comes from the Belgian town, famed for its healing springs—not, as a popular myth suggests, from a Latin phrase.

Brussels Protests: Around 30,000 people marched against rising costs and planned budget cuts, while clashes between police and groups of masked protesters disrupted transport and public services. Union leaders said the rioters were not part of their peaceful march. Theatre & Identity: Belgium-based artist Jaha Koo has won the International Ibsen Award. His touring show Haribo Kimchi explores belonging and cultural identity through food, performance and a robotic eel. Ghent Design: With the city’s Design Museum reopening, a new architecture guide spotlights Ghent’s mix of medieval landmarks, modernist buildings and experimental galleries. Wellness Heritage: The word “spa” comes from the Belgian town famed for its healing springs—not, as a popular myth claims, a Latin phrase for health through water.