Belgium's Expo

This exhibition was made by ENCRE in Belgium. Read more about this organization on our Team page.

About the national pilot and exhibition

ENCRE’s national pilot and exhibition brought together creativity, intergenerational dialogue, and European values in two distinct but equally inspiring settings. The first event took place in Brussels on June 27th, where we welcomed six elderly participants from a picturesque Austrian village for a half-day workshop. Together, we explored the themes of the European Union and communication, fostering lively discussions and exchanging perspectives. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they actively contributed to the creation of a collective artwork, proving that art and dialogue can bridge gaps in age, language, and background.

The second part of our pilot unfolded during the Torino Comics festival, from May 29th to June 1st. Here, we reached hundreds of people—young and old, locals and visitors, artists and curious passersby—who eagerly joined our interactive installation. The diversity of participants enriched the collective artwork, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of ideas, stories, and shared creativity. The energy and engagement we witnessed were extraordinary, confirming the power of art to connect people across differences and spark meaningful conversations.

Brussels 2026. This artwork was created by a group of five elders during their visit to Brussels. It embodies a universal call for "Freiheit für Alle" (Freedom for All), a timeless aspiration for liberty without boundaries. The phrase "Gedanken aller Nationen die zerfließen" (Thoughts of all nations dissolving) reflects a poetic vision of cultural barriers melting away, fostering unity and transformation. Finally, "Grünflächen erhalten" (Preserve green spaces) underscores their ecological plea to protect nature’s sanctuaries—parks, forests, and agricultural lands—for future generations. A testament to hope, unity, and stewardship.
Turin 2026. A visual layering of political icons, pop culture imagery, personal memories, and urban graffiti. The artwork explores the friction between grand historical narratives — the European Union, international diplomacy, the Ventotene Manifesto — and the chaotic, vibrant stream of pop culture, music, and daily life of a new generation. Created live within the collective energy of the festival.
Turin 2026. A striking assembly of geopolitical protest slogans ("Free Palestine", "Equality"), irreverent satire, and iconic figures from mass media and entertainment. Through surreal juxtapositions and handwritten commentary, the piece reflects on youth activism and the visual overstimulation of contemporary society, turning the page into a vibrant manifesto of social urgency and pop irony.
A visual exploration centered on the human body, speed, and spontaneous sketching. The piece creates a dialogue between classical anatomical sculpture and contemporary aesthetics — featuring anime-inspired character art and high-speed motorsport imagery. A vibrant blend of figurative studies and playful doodles capturing the live, energetic process of festival creation. The artwork highlights the mission of the EU of preserving cultural heritage, diversity and arts.
A collaborative visual manifesto celebrating the act of presence, shared memory, and collective participation. Centered around the typographic statement "LA FOI DANS L'ART" (Faith in Art), the artwork builds a dense network of graphic gestures and found imagery around this conceptual core. The piece functions as an open, participatory diary: handwritten declarations and personal tags interweave with manga-inspired character doodles, pop cutouts (a plush teddy bear, an exotic hummingbird), and symbols of everyday conviviality like a wine bottle and team sport photography. Bright yellow, hand-cut stars dot the composition, serving as visual anchors amidst the fluid stream of marks. Created live during the festival, this work turns the page into a shared urban wall or a visual guestbook, where individual identity fades into the collective story of a temporary creative community.

FOLLOW US

Instagram Facebook Linkedin

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Authors
© 2025 – ENCRE – European Network of Comics Representatives and Entrepreneurs (BE), Skill Up Srl (IT), Cap Ulysse (FR), Museumsverein Klostertal (AT), Complexul Muzeal National Moldova Iasi (RO), Quiosq (NE).
This publication was carried out with the financial support of the European Commission under Erasmus + Project “ONE Culture – Overcoming Nationalism and Euroscepticism through Culture”, N. 2024-1-BE01-KA220-ADU-000243645.