A Day of Music, Voices and Connection
On Saturday 25 April 2026, Leuven hosted a twelve-hour marathon of music and reflection, organized by the Contius Foundation in cooperation with the Sint-Michiels Vredeskerk and the Leuvense Vredesbeweging, as part of #ECHOforPeace. The day opened outside the church, on the Grote Markt, where the Leuvens Universitair Koor brought the Peace Echo into the public space, allowing it to resonate across the city and setting the tone for what followed.
A Rich and Inclusive Musical Landscape
The programme brought together established professional organists and a wide range of emerging musicians. Students from the conservatories of Leuven (LUCA School of Arts – Lemmens), Namur (IMEP), Ghent and Antwerp, alongside the organ class of SLAC, performed with focus and commitment, contributing to a line-up that included traditional repertoire, contemporary music and improvisations.
While the organ remained at the centre, it was continuously placed in dialogue with other forms of expression. Choral contributions by the SLAC choirs, Vocaal ensemble De Corde and Capella Nova added depth and contrast, complemented by vocal and instrumental soloists, such as the violin–organ duo of Luc Ponet and Gleb Gladkov. Dance was integrated at key moments, including a performance on Pergolesi by the SLAC dance department and a collaboration between organ and flamenco dance by Bart Verheyen and Elena La Grulla.
It was a day of unexpected encounters: the ‘Trois Baguettes’ with Wim Winters combined organ, voice and nyckelharpa, while the two Contius organists in residence, Laurens de Man and Francesca Ajossa, joined forces in a four-hands performance. In another moment, Bernard Foccroulle ‘opened’ the programme of young amateur organist Thijs Schepens and his musical family. The youngest performer of the day was Willem (SLAC), aged 11, marking a notable debut within the marathon.
Voices, Art and Engagement
Musical performances alternated with contributions from speakers across academia, culture, policy and community work, each offering a perspective on peace in today’s context. Compagnie Tartaren brought a particularly impactful multilingual recitation of the poem 'If I must die' by Refaat Alareer, while high school students brought the voice of a younger generation into the programme. The event also included a preview of Ingrid Dewit’s participatory art project “Ook de engelen treuren”, allowing visitors to walk through hundreds of paper cranes as a reflection on loss, memory and hope.
A Shared Experience
Over the course of the day, approximately 1,500 people visited the church. The open format encouraged movement and discovery, yet many chose to stay for extended periods, engaging with the programme in a more sustained way.
Audience impressions were gathered throughout the day by a “mood bard”, while behind-the-scenes interviews captured additional reflections that will inform future outputs.
At midnight, the event concluded in a focused and intimate atmosphere. With the church dimly lit and still well attended, Noémie Schellens, accompanied by David Burn, performed La vita è bella. Everyone left still humming, wanting more of this music and connection.
