Coudenberg Sound Box Fest 2026 - War & Peace

Beneath the streets of Brussels lies a hidden world — the ruins of Charles V’s former palace — transformed since 2021 into a bold sound laboratory by the Coudenberg Sound Box Fest (CSBF). Under the artistic direction of Matteo Gemolo, this unique festival merges early music with contemporary voices, breaking boundaries and blending heritage with innovation.For the first time, CSBF joins forces with Bozar for a series of co-produced concerts, expanding its artistic reach and fostering dialogue between past and present, tradition and creation.Bozar and the Coudenberg Palace are connected by a hidden passage, which will be opened to the public for the very first time during the festival. Audiences will have the unique opportunity to move between two worlds — from Victor Horta’s Art Deco masterpiece to the ancient remains of Charles V’s Royal Palace — experiencing a symbolic and physical journey through centuries of European history, sound, and imagination.This unprecedented connection mirrors the festival’s 2026 theme, “ReConciliations: War & Peace” — a reflection on division and unity, destruction and rebirth. By linking two iconic spaces once separated by time and architecture, CSBF turns this passage into a living metaphor for reconciliation — between eras, styles, and human experiences.The 2026 edition gathers prestigious ensembles such as Les Muffatti, La Fonte Musica, Dionysos Now!, In Alto, and the NextGen 2025 laureates, promising an intense musical journey through different centuries.In a world once again shaken by conflict, this theme resonates with particular urgency. Through music born from times of war and peace — from Renaissance lamentations to Baroque triumphs and contemporary reflections — the festival invites audiences to contemplate how art can become an act of reconciliation, a bridge between cultures, and a space for collective healing.At the heart of the Coudenberg Palace, where emperors once ruled and Europe’s destiny was shaped, CSBF turns memory into creation — proving that music, more than ever, speaks to our shared humanity.