Culture

In the Leienpaleis, the cultural management is organised in different units, each of which is dedicated to an artistic branch. The artistic direction of each unit is provided by an ambassador. Each ambassador is supported by a team of upcoming talented coordinators, who creatively take care of the day-to-day management of the unit.   

Even though each unit organises its own events, we value the horizontal collaboration between the different units. It is this symbiosis between the units that makes the Leienpaleis a dynamic organisation, offering the world high quality events, performances, and exhibitions.   

The Leienpaleis is also a permanent exhibition space curated by Koen van den Broek in close collaboration with national and international galleries. These privileged partners lighten up the Leienpaleis by offering works on loan on a regular bi-annual basis. 

Art Cell

The Art Cell makes The Leienpaleis a place where visual arts can be experienced up close. Ambassador Koen van den Broek is inspired by this historic building and curates a six-monthly exhibition here. The very first edition is called “Antwerp Universal”. 
(Photo: Renato Nicolodi, Monumentum II. Courtesy Axel Vervoordt Gallery, Wijnegem)

Literary Unit 

Mission 

The Literary Salon wants to give literary art the recognition it deserves. For the time being, we focus on Dutch-language literature. 

Our vision 

The Literary Salon fully embraces the three spearheads of the Leienpaleis: 

• Centralising: every two months, we organise a meeting with an author for a reading aloud moment, an interview, a debate, ... 
  
• Connecting: the Literary Salon is a major meeting place for writers and their public. We pay special attention to our young readers (16–25 years old). 
  
• Celebrate: literature delights us, its happiness rises to the surface of the pages and spills over into the ballroom, let’s celebrate! 
  

No, readers have not disappeared from the cultural landscape, but it seems that many of them are abandoning Dutch-language literature. They unfortunately limit themselves to Anglo-Saxon literature, under the pretext that ’at least, that is “real” literature. We want to give the beauty of the Dutch language and literature an extra boost and an international appeal. 

Interieurcel

The design of Het Leienpaleis required a well-considered approach. The adjustments to the interior had to complement the new functionality without affecting the charm of the building. Thanks to the talent and skills of Gert Voorjans, Jens Jansen and Boa Interior, the Leienpaleis is still a feast for the eyes, even inside.

Jazzcel

From March onwards, the Leienpaleis programs an idiosyncratic jazz performance every second Tuesday of the month.

Classic cell

The Leienpaleis is a place where classical music comes into its own. Under the artistic direction of Elise Caluwaerts, there will be monthly matinees on the program.

Performance & Dance cell

Dance company Voetvolk and music theater Transparant will perform three double bills at Het Leienpaleis in 2022, in which the repertoires of both enter into a dialogue.