On October 23, the day before the KIKK Festival, the international festival of creative and digital industries, AWEX (Wallonia Export & Investment Agency), KIKK, and wake! by Digital Wallonia are organizing a digital creativity road trip through three Walloon cities. Here's a look at the program.
The KIKK Festival, dedicated to digital and creative cultures, returns to Namur from October 24 to 27 for its 13th edition. Artists and specialists from around the world will gather in the Walloon capital to combine art, science, and technology around the theme of "True/False."
As a prelude to the KIKK Festival, AWEX (Wallonia Export & Investment Agency), KIKK, and wake! by Digital Wallonia are organizing a digital creativity road trip. The “wake! tour” offers an exclusive and immersive experience to KIKK Festival participants and a select few key players, giving them the chance to dive into three of the most dynamic ecosystems in Wallonia.
On October 23, 2024, the day before the festival begins, Belgian and international visitors can choose one of three thematic tours offered in three cities across Wallonia: Liège, Namur, and Mons.
Visitors will board a bus departing from Namur for a guided tour of unique locations in Wallonia. This will be an opportunity to meet visionary Walloon entrepreneurs and discover groundbreaking innovations shaping these dynamic sectors. The tour will conclude in Namur with a welcome cocktail at the KIKK Festival.
Wake! Tour Liège: Music Tech
In Liège, participants will explore cutting-edge musical innovations. The program includes visits to three of the city's most iconic music innovation hubs. This will provide insight into how Liège is shaping the future of music. The city hosts numerous musical institutions, festivals, and world-renowned artists, fostering innovation and creativity. For these reasons, Liège is a candidate for the UNESCO Creative City of Music title. The wake! tour will stop at the Grande Poste for a presentation on UNESCO's recognition project, led by the project manager at Wallifornia MusicTech.
The tour will then visit Studio Kargo, an innovative music studio dedicated to songwriting. Visitors will also head to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège, the only professional symphony orchestra in French-speaking Belgium. The CEO will give a tour of the hall and explain how the OPRL is embracing modern challenges.
The final stop of the day will be at Reflektor Liège, a venue known for innovative live music experiences.
Wake! Tour Mons: Culture & Entertainment Tech
In Mons, the 2015 European Capital of Culture, you will see how cultural heritage meets digital innovation and entertainment. You’ll meet key players in the Culture & Entertainment Tech ecosystem of wake! who collaborate to create groundbreaking projects like video mapping, light festivals, and immersive museum experiences. These initiatives not only transform the Mons region but also extend across Wallonia, reaching an international audience and showcasing the global potential of digital cultural creativity in Wallonia.
The first part of the wake! tour in Mons will take place at the CLICK, with presentations from various players, demonstrations, and roundtable discussions. The second part of the tour will involve field visits, starting with MUMONS, the university museum of Mons, offering an interactive experience at the intersection of science, history, technology, and creativity.
The second field visit will be at the Mundaneum. As an archive center and museum space, the Mundaneum preserves and showcases over six kilometers of documents! Visitors will discover an interactive experience created by Tiny Big Story.
Wake! Tour Namur: Digital Communication
In Namur, the capital of Wallonia, the wake! tour will introduce participants to key players in digital communication, design, and branding through a networking lunch and a cultural visit.
During the networking session organized by Digizik, you will meet key figures in digital communication. Agencies and freelancers such as Digizik, Poum Tchak, MR81, Alex GD, and others will share their ideas, innovative projects, and insights on digital design and branding through short keynotes.
The Namur wake! tour also includes a visit to the Pavillon, an exhibition space dedicated to digital cultures, located on the Esplanade of the Namur Citadel.
Please note, this program is only available with prior registration before October 17, and spots are limited. To register, click the link.
Additionally, the KIKK Festival will take place from October 24 to 27, featuring conferences, the KIKK in Town art trail, and a selection of monumental, interactive, and immersive works by more than 50 digital artists. Don't miss AfriKIKK and the KIKK Market. The city of Namur will buzz with the KIKK Festival over these few days, with more than 25,000 visitors expected in the Walloon capital.