There is something magical in this name: Les Nocturnes du Sablon, which I know for 30 years already! And it surprises us again and again! This year is not different! Even if it’s raining outside, the spirit of the upcoming Christmas season is here to stay for awhile! 

As from the 28tb of November until the 1st of December the Sablon area is in the spirit of festivities! As it supposed to be in this artistic area all year long! It’s the art area of Brussels, where one can visit more than 150 galleries around, which have extended hours during these 4 nocturne days! Every gallery is a unique universe with its programs, specially prepared for the Nocturnes, which will be opened until 22:00 every evening! Come and discover yourself what’s on offer!

© DR

In the very heart of Sablon there is a Christmas Tree and a Christmas Market with many possibilities to eat and drink properly! There is an impressive musical program and an annual podium will be crowded by DJs! So food for thoughts is also guaranteed! 

I have been collaborating with a couple of Galleries at Sablon and one of them is Espace Intermédiaire, a relatively new gallery on the block, but with a very enthusiastic and proactive founder Teodora Cosman, who had adopted a very innovative strategy for her gallery, which has been for 2,5 years a meeting place and hotspot for different people, approaches and ideas! This results in colors exhibitions, pop-ups and meet-ups! 

© DR

Jointly with Teodora, I am co-organizing a meet-up on the 29th of November at Espace Intermédiaire Gallery during the current exhibition “Lux Ex Machina” of a Belgian photographer Florian de Schutter, where a French-Belgian Jewellery designer Rachel Ortiz will show her creations! Both artists are working with light, fragilities and diffractions! The soirée will be “spiced-up” by romantic melodies of HALEHAN, who will play guitar! Everyone is welcome to attend this event! 

For this edition of The Nocturne there will be extra security measures in place, according to the President of the Association of the Commercants of Sablon, Jean-Charles Harze, who is at the helm of it for 4 years! It’s a hot topic for Sablon quarter nowadays and the Association pays special attention to it! Mr. Harze is a professional florist and runs his flowers boutique for 20 years just near Flamant, a known Belgian boutique and witnesses unprecedented rise of insecurities from guests and visitors of Sablon! But also from “the locals”, who live and work around! 

“L’Atelier en Herbe”, the magical flower shop © DR

But we shouldn’t forget about about the magic of Sablon anyway and (re) discover it! Leave all your fears, challenged and uncertainties behind, come and enjoy the Nocturnes of Sablon time and time again! 

“Les Nocturnes du Sablon 2024 “


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