Brussels Welcomes Asian Literary Voices in a Historic First
The heart of central Brussels will soon beat with the rhythms of Asian literature as the first Asian Literary Festival unfolds this weekend, October 4-5, at the historic Galerie Bortier. As a gathering that bridges continents, it spotlights Filipino writers and creatives alongside Asian and European counterparts, signaling a new era of intercultural dialogue through words and art.
Origin, Aim, and Cultural Bridge-Building
The festival is the brainchild of nomad cultural curator and former journalist Louise Baterna, founder and president of the Philippine Art and Culture Exchange (PACE). Baterna serves as festival director, framing the event as more than a literary gathering. “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 a mission to illuminate both traditional roots and current voices.
Galerie Bortier, a venue steeped in literary history, offers a fitting stage for conversations that travel across borders. The festival’s theme, “Between Worlds: Reviving the Silk Route of Expression,” invites participants to reanimate ancient dialogues while fostering modern intercultural conversations. Organizers describe the event as a cultural bridge-building exercise that honors historical connections between East and West while encouraging fresh creative partnerships. In line with this philosophy, European authors have been invited to participate in openness to literature as a borderless medium.
Filipino Voices on Center Stage
A slate of Filipino writers and creatives will share their work and perspectives with audiences in Brussels and beyond. Among those invited to speak are poet A.D. Capili (based in Belgium) and Professor Asuncion Fresnoza-Flot of Université Libre de Bruxelles. Criselda Yabes, an award-winning author living in France, will also join, alongside Dorie Reyes Polo, Claire Paladin, and Maria Renker (Germany). Other Filipino participants include Maya Butalid (Netherlands), Myrani Miranda Pesquet, and children’s book illustrator Darlee Urbiztondo (Belgium).
Additionally, the festival features a virtual component: a series of video capsules from various Filipino authors, introduced in a virtual meet titled “Words Through Screens.” These capsules will be screened on a large display during the event, offering attendees a broader sense of the contemporary Filipino literary scene.
Selected Works and Emerging Talent
Festival programming will spotlight a mix of award-winning works and fresh voices. Featured titles include Maxine Pulgar Ramos’s Boba Girl, Jansen Bognot’s Something is happening in Blake’s Mind, Techni Calibuso’s Bloom Beyond Expectations, and Emaine Coronel’s Lola Fely’s Front Porch. Other notable books include Gretchen Largoza’s Finish the Sentence, Anjel Reyes’s Pocketful of Regrets, and Danabelle Gutierrez’s The F Word. A diverse range of genres—from poetry and prose to children’s literature—highlights the breadth of Filipino creativity and its resonance with international readers.
Performance and Diplomacy
The festival opens with a cocktail reception attended by Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Pabs Mendoza of the Philippine Embassy in Brussels. Live musical performances from Belgium-based artists Denise Musni, Mark Arquilla, and Clarice Manuel will accompany the evening, blending literary culture with musical interpretation for a fuller cultural experience.
PACE and the Asian Literary Network
PACE, a non-profit focused on Filipino and Asian creatives in Belgium and beyond, partners with the Asian Group of Literature, a social enterprise promoting reading, translation, peer reviews, and publishing. The collaboration extends to the Asian Prizes for literature and the Asian Review, forming a robust ecosystem that nurtures both established writers and emerging talents.
A Global Caravan of Asian Literary Festivals
The Brussels edition marks the inaugural step in a broader caravan of Asian Literary Festivals to be held worldwide, with plans spanning Odisha (India), Gampaha (Sri Lanka), Nairobi (Kenya), and Abu Dhabi (UAE). This traveling culture of ideas reflects a shared belief that literature can cross borders and build lasting connections across continents.
What This Means for Readers and Creators
For readers, the festival offers a rare chance to engage directly with Filipino and Asian writers, hear their stories, and discover new works in translation or in the original languages. For creators, it is an opportunity to network with peers, form cross-border collaborations, and contribute to a growing movement that values intercultural exchange as a cornerstone of modern literature.
Looking Ahead
As the curtain falls on this first edition, organizers anticipate a ripple effect: ongoing dialogues, new publishing partnerships, and future collaborations that keep the Silk Route of Expression alive in European cultural life. With its generous blend of heritage and innovation, the Asian Literary Festival in Brussels sets a promising precedent for how literature can unite diverse voices in shared spaces of learning and creativity.
