Creating a Movement Together: THE FESTIVAL of the New European Bauhaus in Brussels
April 2024. Synergies, collaboration, networking, interdisciplinary dialogues, mutual learning, replication: The concept "together" was distinctly palpable during THE FESTIVAL of the New European Bauhaus in Brussels.
The enriching exchange with visitors at our booth and during the tours was not only helpful as a reflection of our own work, but also revealed opportunities for cooperation with projects and communities throughout Europe. The starting points may be different for the individual projects, but the vision of a sustainable and, in particular, affordable lifestyle for all leads to similar questions, approaches and challenges. For example, how do we deal with existing buildings, how can circular thinking be implemented with regard to usage and materials? And how can we avoid gentrification effects in the course of refurbishing and transforming neighbourhoods?
In our living labs, one observation has fascinated us all alike: the creative power that resides in everyone and that we can awaken and strengthen in collaboration with our creative individuals, and its incredible potential to connect people with the environment and with nature in a new and more sustainable way. Participation must be observable and palpable to make it clear that everyone can contribute, in a process that starts with the youngest members of our society and encompasses intergenerational dialogue.
And we all agree on the importance of mutual learning, learning from successes but also from failure. We do not have the time to keep making the same mistakes; we must profit from the experiences and the knowledge of others.
The direct proximity to our lighthouse demonstrator colleagues – Bauhaus of the Seas Sails, CultuurCampus, Desire an Irresistible Circular Society, Eyes Hearts Hands Urban Revolution and NEB-STAR – in the Cour Carrée of the Royal Museums of Art and History in Belgium, and the associated intensive discussions as well as our joint workshop were not least an enriching experience that made the power of togetherness visible.
Here in Brussels, at The Festival of the New European Bauhaus, networking is not only experienced, but lived – for the green transformation of our society can only succeed if we work together.
Photo Credits: Architekturgalerie München/Nicola Borgmann, Cornelia Hellstern, Zoe Fränkle
