“Kaapstad is a free Art in Public Space festival,” explains Sander. “For three days, we use downtown Tilburg as a canvas and stage. Holding it in public space is essential. We want people to marvel at what they take for granted and rediscover the city. Think of it as a friendly takeover of the center. Without barbed wire but with provocative art. I also see among artists and creators how much fun everyone has playing together in public space. In the shared playground that is Kaapstad.”

“We explore the deeper layer of the city,” adds Anja. “So something everyday, like a lamppost or an electrical box, can suddenly charm you. Kaapstad is not an art route. It is a festival that lets you experience the city differently. Just like when you come home after a long vacation and think, ‘I’ve never seen the city like this before!’ That is the Kaapstad effect.”

Anja believes that art in public space adds to the social debate: “We live in a bubble society. That sounds ‘soft,’ but in fact, it is a society with very hard boundaries. Especially in a time of polarization, softening society and those boundaries is necessary, we think. Our festival is therefore an invitation to give space to the human and sensory aspect of the city. And Kaapstad is unique in that there is almost always audience interaction. Sometimes you are even part of a work or performance as a visitor. Of course, you can also watch from the sidelines. But those who participate experience more.”

Sander: “Tilburg is a perfect breeding ground for us. That has to do with the spatiality. The city is not yet so tightly designed and is full of loose ends. There is plenty of room for experimentation between the cracks of the city. The raw edges give us and the artists the space to play, wonder, and experiment. At the same time, Tilburg is developing rapidly, so we must protect that rawness. It would be a shame if we eventually turned into a meticulously planned city. We are not Venice.”