What's on this week: 5-11 May

The Brussels region throws its annual party for residents and visitors alike, the Iris Festival, this weekend. As usual there will be a party atmosphere everywhere with street activities. On Saturday there will be special activities in this year's four highlighted boroughs: Molenbeek, Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles and Forest, including guided walking and cycling tours, architecture, street theatre, museums, places not usually accessible to the general public, and all sorts of treasures off the beaten track. Saturday evening is electro night in front of the Royal Palace which this year will be followed for the first time with an after-party. This year Europe Day (6 May) coincides with the Iris Festival so will there be all sorts of open houses throughout the European District including the brand new House of European History museum which will be celebrating its grand opening on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, it's Party in the Park starting at noon with circus arts, street theatre, interactive games, workshops, dance demonstrations, children's activities and more. Nearby there will be various sports available from trampolines to adventure courses, climbing, other specialised activities and a gathering of 34 food trucks on the Royal Square and in front of the park.
6-7 May, across Brussels; free 

Bozar hosts a festival dedicated to Bach’s music and the influence he had on the composers who followed him, featuring a birthday concert for conductor (and festival curator) Philippe Herreweghe and a succession of performances by renowned ensembles.
Until 21 May, Bozar, Rue Ravenstein 23, Brussels

If it’s May, then it’s time for the Kunstenfestivaldesarts, the adventurous festival dedicated mainly to performance art – though it also includes some film and exhibitions. One of the highlights of this 22nd edition is in fact an exhibition. The Absent Museum, according to the organisers, is “a blueprint for a museum of contemporary art for the capital of Europe.” As part of this show, Belgian Art Prize winner Otobong Nkanga has created “Forget Me Not”, which will see a performer present a poetic act of remembrance every day of the festival.
5-27 May, across Brussels

The best international food trucks from all over Europe will be in one place for the weekend, along with DJs and entertainment. Food specialities from all over the world, plus cocktails, craft beers, seafood, burgers, vegetarian and vegan food, etc.
5-7 May, Tour & Taxis, Brussels; free

Rock Around the Atomium is the ultimate rock’n’roll and rockabilly festival, with 12 international bands and DJ’s, a classic car show, vintage market and more. And what better setting than the Atomium, Belgium’s iconic 1958 landmark?
6-7 May, Place de l'Atomium, Brussels; free

Flanders’ epic brewery crawl celebrates its 20th birthday in a big way. The event, which sees several breweries in the Pajottenland area of Flemish Brabant open to the public, has been a biennial tradition since 1997. This is the first time the festivities will stretch across an entire weekend and include camping possibilities for visiting lambic-lovers. This anniversary tour is also the largest thus far, with nine breweries set to open their doors and let the taps flow. Among them are Lindemans, Mort Subite and Oud Beersel. The collaboration is to be immortalized in a limited edition “Megablend” beer.
6-7 May, across Pajottenland and Senne Valley

Take a spring dip into the arts, craft and culture of 17 Asian and Pacific countries at this charity festival hosted by the Indonesian embassy. The AWPA’s spring festival 2017 also offers tasty and traditional regional food and drink plus a lucky draw. Top prizes include airline tickets to Bali and Yogyakarta in Indonesia. The event is organised by the Asia Pacific Women’s Association; all proceeds benefit a chosen charity.
6 May, 10.00-15.00, Avenue de Tervuren 294, Brussels; free

Minhwa is the popular (non-academic) painting of Korea that celebrates life and fulfilment with a number of iconic animals such as tigers and roosters. The pictures are bright, humorous and joyful. The Korean Cultural Centre is exhibiting the paintings of Minhwa painter Suh Gongim, contemporary painter.
Until 17 June, Korean Cultural Centre, Brussels

The City of Brussels, under the impetus of alderwoman Marion Lemesre, is participating fully in the international I Love My Market Day, a day meant to promote open-air markets of which the city has 14. This year, the second edition of the event is being kicked off with a return to its roots for the Grand-Place, which for the day will once again be a market square as vendors from the 14 markets gather to sell their products in a Market of Markets. And for the rest of the month there will be a number of special events at the individual markets of the city.
11 May, Grand-Place, Brussels

With European Obesity Day coming up on 20 May, Spanish researcher Manuel Franco brings his Photovoice photo project to the European Parliament - an initiative that has brought together researchers, citizens and policymakers to improve healthy eating in cities. A group of residents from Villaverde, an under-served neighbourhood in Madrid, grabbed a camera and started photographing the food in their neighbourhood.
4-10 May, European Parliament, Brussels