A Festival Where Heritage Meets Creation
The Coudenberg Sound Box Fest transforms our historic palace ruins and the Church of Saint-Jacques into a living laboratory where early music speaks as a contemporary language. Through the immersive artistry of ClubMédiéval and the evocative power of DionysosNow!, we bridge the gap between centuries to rediscover history through the power of sound. We believe heritage is not a static relic, but a vital catalyst for modern creativity. Join us for a unique experience where history is not just remembered, but urgently heard anew.
2026 Edition:
War and Peace
Our sixth season explores the dichotomy between conflict and harmony. The festival opens with InAlto Ensemble and Alice Foccroulle, juxtaposing the sacred works of Schütz and Theile with the visceral, theatrical percussion of AkroPercu. We then delve into themes of memory and resistance through Sephardic traditions and 20th-century voices like Klein and Gubaidulina. The festival culminates in an intercultural synthesis between East and West, featuring Elias Bachoura and BeraadGeslagen—a testament to music’s enduring power as a bridge for reconciliation.
What’s New?
The 2026 edition pushes boundaries, launching an "off-site" series in collaboration with Bozar that transforms Brussels into a multi-sensory landscape. We are nurturing the next generation of early music talent through the NextGencompetition, while fostering intellectual curiosity through our new lecture series with ULB and IHEB. As a vibrant hub of international exchange, the festival reaches a global milestone by co-hosting the 2026 REMA Summit alongside the Irish Embassy, celebrating culture as a bridge for European unity and artistic innovation.
A series of
Double-Concerts
The Coudenberg Sound Box Fest 2026 double-concerts leave a lasting impression by blending early music, jazz, electronic music, and world traditions. Anchored in the theme "reConciliations: War & Peace," these line-ups bring together contrasting aesthetics to make the live dialogue between conflict and harmony resonate. Tailored specifically for the historic setting of the Coudenberg Palace, this format goes beyond the traditional concert to offer a truly immersive, fluid, and multi-sensory journey.
A new cycle of talks
In collaboration with ULB and IHEB, CSBF presents a cycle of four lectures, every Thursday at 6:30 PM at the Ursuline Chapel. The lectures will explore the role of music in conflicts, from the Thirty Years' War to the present day. The ways in which musical creation reflects historical turbulence and fosters reflection on memory and resistance will be addressed by renowned researchers such as Jessica Rosa, Cecilia Paredes, Pieter Lagrou, and Emmanuelle Soupart.
Next/Gen
This two-day springboard competition in Brussels serves as a genuine professionalization platform for young early music ensembles, blending strategic training sessions, masterclasses, and a public concert. Evaluated by a prestigious jury (Bozar, Concertgebouw Brugge, etc.), the winning ensemble is awarded a grant, a concert booking for 2027, a music video, coaching sessions, and the commission of an original contemporary work.
With the support of
