The theme of Bruges 2030 is ‘the art of Conversation’. It is therefore only fitting that we paid tribute to an art form in which conversation, dialogue and exchange are central. An art form that also has a rich history in Bruges.

Hip-hop has been alive and well in our city for decades! The culture spawned a huge number of Bruges collectives, epic party concepts, legendary cyphers, and key figures in the scene of the Low Countries have roots in Bruges.

Last year, we celebrated hip-hop's 50th anniversary worldwide. In the process, attention was again given to the core, the 4 elements that characterise hip-hop as a culture: MC-ing, Dj-ing, Breakdance & Graffiti. During ‘It's Bigger Than Hip Hop’, we paid tribute to each element.

In the afternoon, young hip-hop enthusiasts in particular were able to enjoy themselves to the full. Aspiring street artists gained their first experiences during a graffiti workshop organised by Graffiti vzw. B-boys & B-girls showed off their best breakdance moves. Dj Déliciaz introduced young people to the art of DJing.

Later in the evening, the MCs took over. In an open mic old-skool cypher, some real OGs and some emerging talents took the mic. Then some Bruges hip-hop legends performed such as Saimn-I, Connard - who brought the Grafgravers - and Nuff Said.