The Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend would like to address the events that took place each evening from May 23rd to May 25th, between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM at Place de la Bourse.
On Friday, May 23rd, at 7:00 PM — the opening evening of the event — a small group of demonstrators accessed the stage at Place de la Bourse from the public area where they took control of the microphone. No prior dialogue had been initiated by them with the Festival, nor had any formal request been submitted. The organizers were therefore faced with a fait accompli during the event and had to manage the situation in real time.
The concert was disrupted and eventually halted, and tension was clearly felt both on stage and among the audience. The Festival’s mission — to bring jazz artists and their audience together in a spirit of respect and musical appreciation — was no longer being fulfilled.
City authorities informed the Festival that the protest organizers had not submitted any request for authorization. As a result, no dialogue or agreement had taken place between them and the authorities regarding the terms and proper supervision of such an action.
The Festival later learned that demonstrators had contacted some of the artists scheduled to perform at Place de la Bourse, asking to be allowed on stage to share their message.In order to avoid a repeat of Friday’s situation on Saturday and Sunday, and as a precautionary measure, the Festival communicated to the artists its request not to allow demonstrators on stage or give them access to the event’s microphones. The concern was that any such action could escalate and jeopardize the smooth running of the Festival.
This position was also communicated to the City of Brussels.
The decision was not made lightly. Discussions with the artists before their sets were difficult but necessary. At no point did the Festival wish to pressure the artists or challenge their personal positions. Our sole concern was to ensure the safety of both musicians and festivalgoers. There was never any intent to censor a situation that affects us all deeply. And if it was nonetheless perceived as such, we would like to sincerely apologize to the group bodies and to the musicians Alejandra Borzyk (saxophone, soundscapes), Camille Alban Spreng (keys, effects), Mateusz Malcharek (bass), and Elie Gouleme (drums).
In the emotional exchanges that followed, the Festival deeply regrets that some of its words may have been misinterpreted. After the performances — sometimes interrupted by demonstrators, as happened on Friday and Sunday — the Festival expressed its thanks to the artists and emphasized both the quality of their music and their professionalism in a very challenging context.
As organizers, we have a duty to ensure the safety of both performers and the public. Our goal is to create an environment where people can enjoy music peacefully and freely. We strive to offer not only a safe musical experience but also a space for discovery, connection, and enrichment. The Festival is open to everyone, and we firmly believe that safety and the creation of a welcoming atmosphere for shared musical experiences go hand in hand.
The Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend
