We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with KAPOW, a Ghent-based “open playground” for urban culture. As a vibrant melting pot of skating, art, and music, KAPOW provides a space where young talent, makers, and the local community can grow together.

From April to September, KAPOW is launching Brain Trippers, an initiative calling on young people (ages 14–30) from the Belgian West Coast to take the lead. The mission is to foster community building in a safe space while tackling urgent global themes of Sustainability, Climate Action and Biodiversity. Participants won’t just attend a festival – they will organize it themselves. Through an “each one teach one” philosophy, participants will be supported by masterclasses and coaching to determine the festival’s unique content and scale.

The program focuses on three core areas: Technical skills  through hands-on experience in music programming, digital content, or catering; Personal Growth where participants ‘flex their democratic muscles’ to build courage and verbal confidence by learning the Talkaoke method; Worldly Knowledge through engaging in deep dialogues to better navigate the complexities of our world around the Talkaoke table.

Talkaoke is a live, TV-style pop-up talk show by The People Speak art collective in London. The format is simple: the host sits in the middle of a glowing round table with participants sitting around the outside. There is no agenda and it is up to the participants to decide on the subjects – they can just grab the mic and air their thoughts! Discover new insights, hear the latest ideas and be ready for funny, deep, and unexpected conversations.

This project is co-funded by the European Union and Connect for Global Change.

Cover photo by The People Speak – Talkaoke at Mutation Festival 2024, Ghent – Belgium