Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen - Lunalia

The Festival of Flanders Mechelen/Kempen grew out of a series of organ and carillon from 1969 onwards. Now it has grown into a celebration of classical music that aims to charm a wide audience, from complete newcomers to dyed-in-the-wool music fanatics, with live classical music of a high quality and the focus on vocal and religious music. The Festival is held in the province of Antwerp. In the spring, the organisation focuses on the city of Mechelen and vocal music; in the autumn, attention shifts to the wider region of the Kempen for MUSICA DIVINA, or heavenly music in abbeys and beguinages. Thanks to the ‘Festival of Flanders’ label and the concerts organised by our counterparts in Antwerp, Brussels, Kortrijk, Ghent and Leuven, Festival of Flanders Mechelen/Kempen is known far beyond the borders of the province.

Lunalia is the Festival of Flanders Mechelen’s new spring festival, the successor to Mechelen Hears Voices. The name refers both to the Mechelen legend of the ‘Maneblussers’ (luna), and to the fascinating universe of the human voice (lia). In times of alleged ‘fake news’, this international festival of voices goes in search of voices that have something genuine to say. It is not just about ‘lovely songs’ - instead it explores every aspect of speaking, singing, hesitant, strident or very soft human voices. Expect a festival of timeless vocal music with the power of the full moon.