A village dramaturgy for Haren

A village dramaturg attempts to read and interpret the village and its surroundings as a text and to link that personal reading to broader phenomena. In this way, village dramaturgs succeed in representing themes, dynamics and perspectives from the countryside in their artistic projects, which are currently lacking in the arts. (PLAN B in rekto:verso)

In 2023/24, arts platform PLAN B will be working with Martha Balthazar, Elien Ronse and Aulona Fetahaj on a project focusing on village dramaturgy. Read all about it here.

The village of Haren was annexed by Brussels in 1921. Throughout history, this area has largely been deprived of the advantages and facilities that should have come with it. Instead, the area has become increasingly surrounded by industry, an airport, railways, motorways and a prison village. At the same time, Haren retains its village character in the memories of its residents, the marketing of the city of Brussels, and the first impressions of new residents. Its history and the dynamics at play there raise questions about what 'the village' still means/can mean today and how the rural can manifest itself in the city. Aulona Fetahaj and

Ewoud Vermote are currently mapping the place through interviews, guided tours, interventions, and workshops with the residents. They are looking for existing communities, old and new, permanent and temporary, and how they relate to their environment and each other.