What does art mean when the world is burning?

Art never exists in isolation from its time. It is threatened, destroyed, or censored, but it also provides space for resistance, memory, and collective imagination. In this panel discussion, we will focus on two nearby regions where war currently leaves deep marks: Palestine and Ukraine.

Experts Brigitte Herremans and Björn Geldhof share from their practice a sharp, experienced view on the role of art in these contexts. The discussion will be moderated by radio and podcast maker Sara Debroey (Klara, Beeldenstormen).

A conversation that starts from the audience

This evening connects to the collection presentation of M, in which visitors were previously invited to think along about one central question: which themes should be addressed in a conversation about art in times of conflict? The answers — about propaganda, heritage, neutrality, and responsibility — form the starting point of this conversation.

With this evening, M aims to create space for meeting, reflection, and open dialogue. It is an invitation to think together about what art can mean in times when words often fail.

On the ground: voices from Palestine and Ukraine

Human rights researcher and Middle East expert (UGent/UAntwerpen) Brigitte Herremans investigates how art in Palestine offers a counterweight against occupation, structural injustice, and collective loss. From poetry to performance: art is not free expression there, but a way to remember, mourn, and continue to exist — on paper, in image, and in language.

Björn Geldhof is Artistic Director of the PinchukArtCentre, one of the leading institutions for contemporary art in Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion, the center has grown into a cultural anchor point — locally as a place of breathing space, internationally as a voice of resistance. Art is not only displayed there, but actively used for solidarity, recovery, and critical reflection. 

Sara Debroey is a radio maker at Klara and podcast voice of 'Beeldenstormen'. In her podcast, she explores the historical dimension of iconoclasm and how art has been the scene of ideological conflicts through time. She moderates this conversation with a sensitivity to nuance and context.

Practical

• When: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 20:00 - 21:00

• Where: M Leuven

• Language: Dutch

• Price: Free

• Tickets: Registration is mandatory and can be done via this link

• Accessibility: This activity is accessible with a wheelchair. Adapted sanitary facilities are available.

Photo by Marie Dreezen for M Leuven