Feral is a festival that reflects on today’s urgent political and social issues, and how artists take them into their hands. It is a programme of artistic interventions and encounters that uses art to influence everyday life in Brussels. Feral can take place on a boat, on a farm, in a swimming pool or an old monastery. Feral is urban, interstitial, peripheral and feral.

This year, Feral will be held from 17 to 20 September in Park Josaphat (Schaerbeek) and at MONA (Jette).

Editorial

If you pay a little attention, the Middle Ages are everywhere: from the figure of Hildegard of Bingen to the celebration of the commons, from the remaking of St. Vitus' viral dancing to Zendaya’s outfits, from bardcore concerts to the resurgence of witches. 

This very long historical period, spanning more than 1,000 years in Europe, inspires, fascinates and divides, and this attraction takes many different aesthetic and political forms.

In the Middle Ages, everything was symbolic. This reflects in architecture, painting, illuminations and the abundant and mysterious images of coats of arms, allegories and bestiaries.

In this pre-capitalist, pre-industrial era, the city is emerging, allowing different forms of governance and political participation to appear. The relationship between the commons and public space was very different. Art and craft, urban and rural, science and imagination, are all more permeable. Collective forms of organisation, solidarity, and power-sharing, that our modern world has almost erased, are underway.

For all these reasons, Feral 2025 will be medieval. Taking as our starting point contemporary art forms that revisit, perpetuate and reference the Middle Ages, and accompanied by lively researchers, let's set off on a journey between eras, heading towards emancipatory medieval times, in opposition to its portrayal as a conservative and violent era. Let's see why and how it haunts and awakens imaginations, nourishes counter-narratives, strengthens struggles and helps us dream up our future. For four days, let's jump into these Middle Ages for a collective, joyful and critical exploration.

Where does history end and collective daydreaming begin?

We are going to

shoot with a bow and arrow

visit an old guild

dance to hommel

invoke beguines and collectivity

question the construction of our collective identity

meet Jane Dark

invent new forms of family-making

nuance gender

marvel at nettles

create avatars 

think about our relationship with history and time

have a hobby horse tournament

wonder at the beauty and power of images

concoct witch ointments 

slow down and blend in with the city,

mimic Monty Python,

and take up the challenge of an emancipatory practice of history.

Registrations

Feral is free, on registration.

Registrations will open around 1st September.

Practical information

Languages

Discussions will be in English and in French with simultaneous translation. Performances will be in their original language. Workshops will be facilitated by bilingual people if needed.

Credits

Feral is organised by Cifas.

Cifas is supported by Cocof, FWB and Actiris.

Feral is supported by the City of Brussels and WBI.