On Saturday 24 October, Kunsthal Extra City opens In Remembrance of the Earldom of Watou, the first posthumous exhibition of Guillaume Bijl (1946–2025). Twenty-four years after its original presentation during Kunstenfestival Watou in 2002, this exceptional work is being reconstructed for the first time in Kunsthal Extra City's former Dominican church.

The installation brings together a fictional-historical museum, a banquet hall and the theatre piece The Early Years of the Earldom of Watou. Historical and fictional elements constantly intertwine. The different spaces, objects and theatrical elements come together to create an immersive experience in which Bijl plays with the boundary between fact and fiction. A tableau vivant and a festive procession also form part of the work during the opening.

The theatre piece

The Early Years of the Earldom of Watou is the only theatre piece in Bijl’s oeuvre and forms an integral part of the installation. For its revival at Kunsthal Extra City, the piece is performed by amateur actors from Antwerp, directed by Vanessa Van Goethem, with dramaturgy by Aline Bouvy and music by Hantrax. The sets were created by Pieter and Tinus Vermeersch, while Jelle Spruyt was responsible for the costumes and textiles.

The piece will be performed live twice during the opening on Saturday 24 October, at 15:00 and 17:00. Each performance lasts approximately 20 minutes. Would you like to attend? Both performances are free on the day, but advance booking is required. Places are limited, so be sure to reserve your ticket in advance.

As in the original performance in Watou in 2002, table beer, bread and fruit will be served in the banquet hall during the performance. Afterwards, you are invited to explore the installation further.

BOOK YOUR TICKET FOR THE THEATRE PERFORMANCE

The procession

After the first performance, participants dressed in medieval costume will make their way through the city as part of the tableau vivant. Led by Stéphane Schraenen, the procession brings the Earldom of Watou out into the streets. You can watch the participants set off, join them for part of the route or welcome them back to Extra City.

The programme

The opening brings together theatre, a festive procession and an evening programme. From 18:00, Charlotte Coopman will serve medieval soup in the bar. Later, Sorry — the artists’ collective of Sietske Van Aerde, Clara Lissens and Emeline Descreaux — will take over with an experimental DJ set. Through their DJ sets, performances and actions, they explore the boundaries between art and entertainment.

14:00: Opening
15:00 First theatre performance
16:00: Procession
17:00: Second theatre performance
18:00: Medieval soup by Charlotte Coopman (until 21:00)
21:00: DJ set by Sorry
23:00: Doors close

Can’t make it to the opening?

The exhibition runs until 27 December 2026 and can be visited on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays on a Pay What You Can basis. On Saturdays, the kunsthal is only accessible to visitors with a ticket for the theatre performance. Performances take place every Saturday at 15:00 and 17:00. Reserve your ticket here.