Meet our LOVers - Nouhaila Guerouani

Who are you?

I am Nouhaila Guerouani. I have recently completed my Master’s in Cultural Studies at KU Leuven. My journey as a LOVer started as a volunteer, where I supported the team as an international student during the preparation for the jury visit. 

What do you do?

I am currently working as an assistant project intern for LOV2030. In this role, I contribute to the development of the LOV EU Academy and support the design of the monitoring and evaluation framework. I am also involved in outreach, working with different student associations to strengthen connections and engagement.

Why did you become a LOVer?

I became a LOVer because I believe that culture is something we build together. LOV2030 feels like a space where ideas, creativity, and community meet. I see LOV2030 as a concrete example of how culture can shape the future of a city and its connections beyond borders.

What does LOV mean to you?

To me, LOV means opportunity. It is about listening, experimenting, and creating room for encounters that would not happen otherwise. It represents trust in culture as a driver of change, not only symbolically, but structurally and socially.

LOV is all about new encounters. Who did you meet during your stay in Leuven who gave you a LOVely feeling?

I met people from very different backgrounds; artists, researchers, team members, Leuveners, and Leuvenites who are deeply committed to their city. What gave me a LOVely feeling was the generosity with which people share ideas and welcome collaboration. That openness makes you feel part of something bigger than yourself.

When was the last time you were astonished by nature?

I still remember the greenery of last spring and I am looking forward to seeing it again. I remember how much color and energy it brought to the city. Not being from Belgium, I was genuinely amazed. I still notice the small details, the various flowers, the shades of green, the shapes of the trees, the way the light changes. I hope I never become too used to it, so that each season feels like a new discovery.

Do you think art and culture can contribute to more connection?

I believe art and culture create shared spaces where differences can coexist. They allow people to question, reflect, and imagine together. 

What is your favorite LOVely place in Leuven & beyond?

In Leuven, I really like the Tweebronnen building with the library, where the LOV office is located. From the main street, the entrance is almost unnoticed, tucked between shops. But once inside, it opens up into a large, vibrant space full of activity. For me, it reflects Leuven itself, modest at first glance, yet full of energy, ideas, and opportunity.

Beyond Leuven, I cannot choose just one place. I enjoy visiting and exploring different cities in the region with the LOV team. Each place has its own character, and I am looking forward to discovering even more.

What do you hope for 2030?

I hope that by 2030 Leuven will be even more inclusive, internationally connected, and environmentally responsible. I hope culture will not only be celebrated through events, but embedded in long term structures that support participation, critical thinking, and solidarity.

Any final LOVely thoughts you’d like to leave us with?

I'd like to remind myself and others that LOV2030 is not only about a title or a year. It is about the process of imagining a future together. I hope we continue to ask difficult questions, stay ambitious, and keep creating spaces where people truly meet.