On Wednesday June 4th 2025, Belgium House made its dynamic debut in London, taking over the Shoreditch Arts Club for a vibrant day of dialogue, discovery, and digital creativity. The event brought together an exceptional community of Belgian and British innovators, thinkers, and creators to explore the future of immersive technology, science, and the arts.
Throughout the day, guests were invited to experience a rich programme of forward-thinking panels, interactive installations, live performances, and hands-on workshops — culminating in the highly anticipated Belgian Spirit Night, a high-energy celebration of Belgian creativity.
This landmark event was the result of a strong collaborative effort between Wallonia-Brussels International, Wake! By Digital Wallonia, AWEX, the Embassy of Belgium and a wide range of partners and clusters, including TWIST cluster, KIKK Galaxy, XR Wallonia, Stereopsia, United XR Europe, LeanSquare, and Wallifornia Music+Tech. Each played a key role in showcasing the breadth and depth of Belgian innovation across multiple sectors.
Exploring the Future: Five Insightful Panel Discussions
A core part of the Belgium House programme was a series of expert-led panels offering deep dives into the opportunities and challenges shaping tomorrow’s creative and technological ecosystems.
Immersive Tech in Belgium and the UK
Moderated by Mathieu Demaré (XR Wallonia HITT), this discussion brought together key figures driving immersive innovation across Europe. Asha Easton (Innovate UK Immersive Tech Network), Alexandra Gérard (Stereopsia/United XR Europe), Camille Donegan (Eirmersive), and Loïc Reboursière (Le CLICK) explored the transformative impact of XR technologies across health, culture, entertainment, and education. From real-world applications to cross-border funding strategies, the panel underscored how immersive tech is reshaping industries and enhancing human experiences.
The Future of Media
Hosted by Future Media Hubs and moderated by Loïc De Visscher (RTBF), this forward-looking panel focused on media innovation in an age of rapid digital transformation. Panellists Sofie Hvitved (CIFS) and Eleni Sharp (BBC) discussed the integration of AI in broadcasting, the evolution of content creation, and the importance of collaborative innovation networks in future-proofing media ecosystems.
Amplifying Futures: Innovation in Music Tech
With moderator Coralie Doyen (Wallifornia Music+Tech) leading the conversation, this panel brought together Alber K, Karim Fanous (Abbey Road REDD), Leon Neville (BPI), and Stijn Verdonckt (Daft Music Studios) to examine how AI, immersive audio, and startup culture are redefining the music industry. The discussion revealed a new frontier where creativity meets cutting-edge technology, highlighting how artist-tech collaborations are setting the pace for the next generation of sound.
Technologies and AI in Sport: A Belgium–UK Collaboration
This engaging session, moderated by Héloïse Devaux (LeanSquare, SportsTech Belgium), addressed how innovation is driving performance and analytics in sport. Experts Jan Stryckers (Raw Stadia), Olivier Barnich (EVS), and Anthony Cioppa (ULiège) shared real-world examples of AI-enhanced training, data-driven broadcasting, and successful international partnerships aimed at transforming the future of sport.
Digital Arts & Technologies
Moderated by Marie du Chastel (KIKK Festival), this discussion explored the intersection of creative expression and digital innovation. Kay Watson (Serpentine Galleries), Emmanuel Van der Auwera, and Barnaby Steel (Marshmallow Laser Feast) reflected on the rise of immersive storytelling, the role of AI in curation, and the cultural shifts taking place at the boundary of technology and the arts.
Each of these panels offered a unique perspective on innovation, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration — all vital elements of the thriving Belgium–UK exchange.
A sincere thank you to all panellists, moderators, partners, and supporters who made this day the success it was. We look forward to many more editions to come.
Belgium’s Take Over
The event also featured exciting musical sets by Djs Nathan Colinet and Surfing Leons, who closed the evening with an electrifying atmosphere that perfectly embodied the creative spirit of the occasion.
This first edition was made possible thanks to the support of partners in the UK and Ireland, including Innovate UK Immersive Tech Network, BBC, Abbey Road REDD, the British Phonographic Industry, Serpentine Galleries, Marshmallow Laser Feast, and Eirmersive. Their commitment to collaboration and innovation played an essential role in shaping the event’s success.
Belgium House was honoured to welcome many distinguished guests and supporters, including Pascale Delcomminette (CEO, WBI) and Jeroen Cooreman (Ambassador of Belgium to the UK), as well as representatives from other countries.
As Belgium House continues to grow, BXGB25 marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Belgium and the UK in the fields of technology, research, and the creative industries.
A full gallery of event highlights is available below.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participants, partners, and supporters who made this inspiring day possible — and we look forward to many more editions to come.
