Meet our LOVers - Lien Berendsen

Who are you?

I am Lien Berendsen. As Programming Team Coordinator for the city of Tienen, I am responsible for managing and coordinating a wide range of activities focused on enhancing the experience, appeal and vibrancy of Tienen.

I am responsible for organising and coordinating the city’s events, ranging from youth activities and smaller public events to major events such as Kweikersdag. In addition, my team and I provide support to external organisers staging events in Tienen, with a focus on thorough preparation, collaboration, logistics, safety and accessibility.

Within the tourism sector, we focus on tourism as a driving force for the local economy. In this context, I work on tourism development, city marketing and city branding, as well as on strengthening Tienen’s image and appeal as a tourist destination. The aim is to attract more visitors to Tienen, enable them to experience the city and, in doing so, also boost local retail and the hospitality sector.

I am also responsible for the cultural programme at the cultural centre, where we aim to provide a varied, high-quality and commercially attractive programme that appeals to different target groups whilst also striving to reach a sufficiently wide audience.

Community activities, networking and grant funding also form part of my remit. In this regard, we support local community life, maintain and strengthen partnerships and networks, and help implement grant policy.

Another key area is the local economy and the shopping experience. I share responsibility for developing and implementing policy relating to commerce, the hospitality sector, retail and entrepreneurship. In doing so, we focus on creating an attractive and vibrant city centre, supporting entrepreneurs, promoting trade-related initiatives and fostering a positive business climate.

Commemorations, official ceremonies and other municipal activities also fall within the remit of the Programming Team.

Across all these areas, I lead the team, set and monitor priorities, and ensure that policy is translated into concrete actions and projects. In doing so, I oversee planning, budgets, decision-making and procedures, and ensure coordination with the city council, other municipal departments, security services, entrepreneurs, associations, organisers and other external partners.

Why did you become a LOVer?

I am a LOVer because I believe in the power of collaboration to make our city and region more attractive and vibrant. In my role at Tienen City Council, I work daily at the intersection of tourism, the local economy, retail and hospitality, culture and events. For me, LOV2030 ties in with this very naturally: working together across municipal and sectoral boundaries to create opportunities, attract visitors, support local businesses and put our region more firmly on the map.

What does LOV mean to you?

To me, LOV means working together to build a strong and attractive region. Tourism, the local economy, retail, hospitality, culture and events are not separate from one another, but reinforce each other. LOV offers the chance to make that connection work beyond local boundaries too, to share experiences, identify joint opportunities and strengthen one another.

LOV is all about new encounters. Who have you met in Leuven and/or the East Brabant region who gave you that LOVely feeling?

Kathryn Cops, creative connector at Team LOV2030. Her energy, her optimism, her love of connection… It’s so incredibly inspiring.

When was the last time you were awestruck by nature?

A few weeks ago when I was in the Heuvelland and the cloudy sky was a breathtaking shade of pink, orange, light blue and purple, dotted with beautiful, cotton-wool-white clouds. I nearly fell off my bike because of the overwhelming emotions.

Do you think art and culture can help foster greater connection?

I think art and culture are pre-eminent ways of connecting people. You don’t need to share the same background, age or interests to be moved together by a performance, music, art or an event. What’s more, culture can also encourage people to see their city in a new light and create a sense of pride and belonging. I find that at least as important as the cultural offering itself.

What is your favourite LOVely spot in Leuven & Beyond?

Tienen. I’m a proud resident of Tienen through and through. Our beautiful town has so much to offer, and I’d love to showcase that more.

What are your hopes for 2030?

I hope that by 2030 we will have forged even stronger connections: between towns and municipalities, but also between culture, tourism, entrepreneurs, organisations and residents. That we don’t all just work alongside one another, but that we strengthen one another. And, of course, I hope that Tienen can make the most of its unique character and strengths, becoming a place that residents are proud of and that visitors love to visit – and return to.