Playcation: again an unforgettable play offer this summer
Playcation 2023: VGC approves 21 projects
The second edition of Playcation will offer young Brusselers an unforgettable time this summer. Playcation is a play and sports experiment for young and not so young people. 21 initiatives with a free, unaccompanied play offer will be organised throughout the city. As of now, you can find a truly crazy three-storey tree house in Schaerbeek, a practice area for circus performances in La Grande Halle in Molenbeek and a beach container in Koekelberg.
“We want to make Brussels a city where every child can play or practice sports freely in their neighbourhood. In 2023, Playcation will focus on the poorest and most densely populated neighbourhoods with limited open and green space. That is where the need is greatest. For many Brussels children, playing freely is not a given. Not every family has a house with a garden or can go on a summer trip abroad. That is precisely why children should be able to play, practice sports and enjoy culture in an accessible way in their immediate surroundings,” said VGC college member Ans Persoons, responsible for Culture, Youth and Sport.
Both organisations and Brusselers have the opportunity to create their summer project. For example, architect-farmer Kaat Vandervelde creates an earth playing landscape in Ganshoren. Her project’s name is “Kom spelen op de TOP”. Artist Alice Van Innis collects stories from people in the neighbourhood. She transforms them into a series of storyline sculptures at Place du Jardin aux Fleurs. The two Palestinian brothers Sami and Saif (via Museums of Belgium) teach you how to make traditional kites at ten different places in the city, including the slopes of the Palace of Justice.
“The VGC wants to make Brussels a city for children. Every Brussels child should be able to play or practice sports freely close to their home. Public space plays an important role in this, especially our squares: they should become places where children can play safely, parents can have a chat and locals can get to know each other. That was one of my priorities as alderwoman, and I am happy to continue working on it within my new competence,” said Ans Persoons, VGC college member responsible for Culture, Youth and Sport.
Community centres are also converting this summer into a play success:
- At community centre De Kriekelaar you will find a crazy three-storey tree house. A dream for children to climb, jump, slide and play.
- Community centre De Platoo converts a rubble container into a touring beach.
- Community centre Elzenhof opens its garden as a neighbourhood garden and turns it into a stimulating play space.
- On the now car free Rue du Fort, you can create your own play installations such as swings and dollhouses, with community centre Pianofabriek and artists’ collective Cycl.one.
- GC Ten Noey and Cantine Josée turn Rue du Vallon around the café into a play area and a place to relax.
Furthermore, you can build, tinker, dig and play sports as much as you want thanks to the efforts of Cultureghem, artists’ collectif Dear Pigs, Filter Café Filtré Atelier, JES, LabNorth, Parckfarm T&T, Raion, Ride your Future, Toestand, Une maison en Plus and Circus Zonder Handen.
Discover the programme at www.playcation.brussels.
Damiaan De Jonge