Brussels Welcomes a New Literary Caravan
In a landmark weekend for multicultural literature, the first Asian Literary Festival convenes in central Brussels, uniting Asian and European voices under the banner Between Worlds: Reviving the Silk Route of Expression. Held at the historic Galerie Bortier, the event celebrates both the rich heritage of Asian literature and the dynamic vitality of contemporary Asian writing, marking a milestone in intercultural dialogue on European soil.
A Visionary Drive: From Nomad Curator to Festival Director
The festival is the brainchild of Louise Baterna, a nomad cultural curator and former journalist who founded the Philippine Art and Culture Exchange (PACE). As festival director, Baterna emphasizes that the event is more than a reading series; it is a deliberate effort to create a living bridge between East and West, past and present. “Our aim is to show the rich heritage of Asian literature and provide a platform for Asian contemporary voices in the heart of Europe,” she says, underscoring the festival’s aspirational goal of fostering intercultural conversations that transcend borders.
Filipino Voices in the Spotlight
Among the many invited Filipino writers and creatives are a diverse group spanning poets, scholars, and illustrators. Featured names include poet A.D. Capili (Belgium) and Professor Asuncion Fresnoza-Flot from Université Libre de Bruxelles, alongside award-winning Criselda Yabes (France). The lineup also includes Dorie Reyes Polo, Claire Paladin, and Maria Renker (Germany), with Maya Butalid joining from the Netherlands. Filipino participants Myrani Miranda Pesquet and children’s book illustrator Darlee Urbiztondo (Belgium) add to the festival’s rich tapestry, highlighting the breadth of Filipino literary and artistic achievement across Europe. These voices reflect a broader diaspora narrative that mirrors the festival’s global ambitions.
In addition to live presentations, several Filipino authors will participate remotely through the “Words Through Screens” program. Video capsules featuring authors such as Maxine Pulgar Ramos, Jansen Bognot, Techni Calibuso, Emaine Coronel, Gretchen Largoza, Anjel Reyes, and others will be displayed on a large screen, offering audiences a personal introduction and a glimpse into their latest works.
Connecting Through Arts: Literature, Music, and Dialogue
Literary dialogue will be complemented by live musical performances during the opening cocktail, showcasing Belgium-based performers Denise Musni, Mark Arquilla, and Clarice Manuel. The inclusion of music and visual arts underscores the festival’s holistic approach to storytelling, where words meet melody and imagery to deepen audience understanding of Asian literatures and their diasporic currents.
PACE, a non-profit dedicated to promoting Filipino and Asian creatives in Belgium and beyond, collaborates with the Asian Group of Literature, a social enterprise that fosters reading, translation, peer review, and publishing. This partnership strengthens the festival’s ecosystem, which includes initiatives like the Asian Prizes for literature and the Asian Review, aimed at expanding readership and supporting emerging talents.
The Festival’s Broader Significance
The Asian Literary Festival in Brussels is the first in what organizers hope will become a traveling “caravan” of festivals. Planned stops are Odishа (India), Gampaha (Sri Lanka), Nairobi (Kenya), and Abu Dhabi (UAE). Each stop will echo the Brussels model: a platform for established authors and rising stars, opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, and a public investment in the idea that literature knows no borders.
Festival director Baterna frames the event as both a celebration and a cultural bridge-builder. “That is also the reason why we invited European authors because we believe that literature is ‘borderless’,” she notes, inviting audiences to witness how the Silk Road of expression continues to inspire new conversations in a globalized literary landscape.
Looking Ahead
As the weekend unfolds, readers, students, and casual festival-goers alike will have the chance to hear from a wide spectrum of voices and to engage with translations, essays, and poetry that illuminate the Asian literary imagination. The inaugural Asian Literary Festival in Brussels stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to connect people across cultures, languages, and continents.
