Summit of LOV: the starting point for a new phase towards 2030

500 people. One shared ambition. And above all: a growing belief that culture can truly bring people closer together. With the Summit of LOV, we at Leuven & Beyond are taking a new step towards 2030.

At 30CC/Schouwburg, cultural creators, associations, local authorities, artists, volunteers, partners and organisations from across East Brabant came together. To help build ideas, connections and a region that uses culture as a driving force for change.

LOV belongs to everyone

LOV2030 is growing thanks to the people who want to help shape the story. Big or small. Professional or voluntary. From Landen, Diest, Overijse, Tienen, Hoegaarden or Leuven.

“Leuven believes in culture as a driving force for connection and forward thinking,” said Mayor Mohamed Ridouani during the plenary opening. “With LOV2030, we are working together with our region to build a narrative that everyone can help shape.”

That regional collaboration is what makes LOV2030 unique. At the same time, it also demands something of us. How do you create projects that resonate with people across municipal boundaries? How do you ensure that culture doesn’t remain confined to bubbles, but truly fosters connection? Culture only becomes powerful when it bridges the gap between people.

Love as a radical connection

LOV2030 aims to be more than just a cultural programme. It seeks to create space for encounter, imagination and collaboration at a time when living together is not a given.

Didier Reynaerts, mayor of Landen, referred to Virgil’s famous words: Omnia vincit amor, or: love conquers all.

“Love does not look at origin, status or place of residence,” said Reynaerts. “It connects. And that is precisely why I believe culture is so important today.”

That idea is deeply embedded in the DNA of LOV2030: building connections where distance arises. Bringing together people who might otherwise never meet. Creating new alliances between culture, education, care, innovation, nature and everything in between.

Internationally connected

Leuven is not alone in this endeavour. Together with Larnaca in Cyprus and Nikšić in Montenegro, Leuven & Beyond forms the Class of 2030. This international collaboration opens the door to exchanges, joint projects and new perspectives on what a European Capital of Culture can be.

A shared responsibility

During the Summit, it was also announced that the National Lottery will provide long-term support for LOV2030 in the coming years. This is an important sign of confidence in the initiative and in the social power of culture.

In addition, various cultural organisations signed the Leuven Climate Contract. In this way, sustainability is also becoming a shared commitment within LOV2030.

This is just the beginning

LOV2030 continues to grow. Through open calls, new projects and room for unexpected ideas, LOV2030 aims to develop a broad and accessible programme across the entire region in the coming years. Because you don’t create LOV on your own.

As Jeroen Brouwers so beautifully put it in his novel 'Bezonken Rood': "Nothing exists that does not touch something else".

An-Marie Lambrechts (General Coordinator, 30CC)