Meet our LOVers - Philippe Liesen­borghs

Who are you?

I am Philippe Liesenborghs, co-coordinator of Kweikersdag at opgewekTienen vzw (volunteer) and a staff member at SAAMO Vlaams-Brabant.

Why did you become a LOVer?

I am a LOVer because I believe in the power of people and in what happens when you involve them. At SAAMO, this means working inclusively, making space for those whose voices are less often heard, and building solutions together. With opgewekTienen, I do this through encounters, (heritage) participation and community building. This ties in closely with LOV2030: connection, active citizenship and inclusion, and using culture to link people and societal challenges.

What does LOV mean to you?

For me, LOV represents the power to mobilise people, places and organisations together towards a shared future. Culture as a lever to facilitate encounters and spark the imagination. LOV aligns with my belief that real change happens when residents take ownership of their living environment. LOV has the potential to bring regions, communities and ideas closer together. For me, LOV is above all an invitation to build, with care and determination, a more inclusive society, open to one another and to the world around us.

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

Perhaps the most significant encounter was when, thanks to LOV2030, we came into contact with Jonas Van Thielen from Leuven, who went on to become the director of the Kweikersparade, the five-yearly Tiense Ommegang. We were looking for someone with a clear artistic vision who, at the same time, wanted to work collaboratively and was therefore willing to question their own vision. It turned out to be the perfect match and, for us, marked the start of our collaboration with LOV2030.

When was the last time you were in awe of nature?

A few days ago, I saw a flock of cranes migrating south. The trumpeting sound, which you can hear from afar, never fails to fill me with wonder. That boundlessness is simply marvellous.

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

Absolutely. Not only greater connection, but also more space for dialogue, mutual understanding and recognising one’s own and each other’s talents. Time and again, I see people not only rising above themselves but also truly connecting with others. Connection and encounter sometimes sound like ‘nice-to-haves’, even rather non-committal. But for many, they are essential in reconnecting with oneself, with a sense of purpose, and also in being open to others.

What is your favourite LOVely spot in Leuven & Beyond?

Of course, there are plenty of special places, but for me, the experience of a place goes hand in hand with the emotion it evokes. My absolute favourite? The Grote Markt in Tienen during the Lazuur, the neighbourhood and village competition on Kweikersdag. The atmosphere, the sense of togetherness and the pride you feel there are like nothing else. It has moved me deeply on several occasions. And isn’t that precisely the essence of culture: to move and connect people?

What are your hopes for 2030?

A close-knit region with an even more vibrant cultural network that opens doors. Where diverse places flourish into dynamic crossroads of encounter, creativity and mutual connection.

Do you have one final LOVely thought you’d like to share with us?

That LOV2030 won’t be a celebratory year that fizzles out after 31 December, but rather the spark for a lasting movement. A movement in which we not only blur the boundaries within the region, but above all break down the barriers between our own bubbles. That culture isn’t just a one-off ‘event’ we go to, but the way we view one another every day: with curiosity, kindness and the courage to truly connect.