Together on the road to Molenbeek for Brussels 2030: our candidacy has been submitted!

A symbolic parade from Molenbeek to Europe to submit our candidacy

On Tuesday, July 15, we reached an important milestone in our ambition to become the European Capital of Culture. A colorful parade moved through Brussels to accompany the official submission of our bidbook. This festive procession carried a loud and clear message of generosity, solidarity, and hope for the future of Europe.

Images © Bryan Nicola Maxwell – Molenbeek for Brussels 2030

A joyful parade to amplify Molenbeek’s voices

The parade on July 15 vividly embodied our project: inclusive, participative, and generous. Residents, associations, schools, artists, and partners who actively contributed to the candidature marched together, carrying the voice of Molenbeek right into the heart of Europe.

We set off from Molenbeek’s main square and made our way through Dansaert, Anspach, and Lakensestraat to the Marie-Elisabeth Belpaire building.

The parade ended with a powerful collective moment as we came together to form a living European flag – a shared message of hope.

The fruit of four years of collective effort

The bidbook is the dossier in which we present our projects, commitments, and ambitions if we secure the title in 2030.

It is supported by the 18 other Brussels municipalities and the entire Brussels-Capital Region. This dossier is the result of four years of intensive collective effort, bringing together the energy of residents, artists, associations, and local partners.

We advocate for a participatory candidature where culture acts as a driver for social, urban, and cultural transformation, inspired by the concept of Sadaka. This term exists in many languages (such as Hebrew, Arabic, Swahili, Urdu…) and represents generosity and solidarity, without expecting anything in return.

A candidacy for a more generous Europe

Often stigmatised, Molenbeek took this opportunity on July 15 to show the richness of its diversity: 140 nationalities live side by side here, united around an ambitious project.

Fatima Zibouh & Jan Goossens, co-mission holders, emphasize:

“Our project is much more than a candidacy: it is a collective movement, driven by a universal value – Sadaka – which in over ten languages means generosity, empathy, altruism, and social justice.
Our ambition? A city where everyone feels welcome, supported, and heard. In this way, we hope to contribute to a new European narrative built on generosity.”

The priorities of our project:

Empowering young people to shape their future
Strengthening social cohesion
Reintegrating nature into the urban environment
Creating safe and welcoming public spaces
Making art and culture part of everyday life

Fatima and Jan conclude: “Everyone’s support is crucial. Everyone has a place in this project and can contribute in their own way. This march shows how important it is to take this decisive step together – generously and joyfully.”