Performance: Everything under the sky

Discover a unique performance in which VRT journalist Veerle De Vos and Sarah Yu Zeebroek together go in search of the deeper connection between China and the West. They take you on a journey through time to the 17th century, in which Ferdinand Verbiest, a Flemish scientist and Jesuit, gained access to the inner circle of the Chinese emperor thanks to his exceptional knowledge. But his path was full of obstacles: court intrigues and tensions with Rome constantly put his mission under pressure. “Everything under heaven” brings the compelling, but largely forgotten story of the first real meeting between China and the West back to life. What were the consequences of this historical confrontation? What role did women play in this ‘man's world’? And how relevant are Verbiest's experiences in a time when China is once again a powerful global player? Let yourself be carried away by this special story and discover how past and present intersect. In this performance, Sarah Yu Zeebroek weaves her musical and graphic talent with the historical story of Veerle de Vos. Together they pierce the clichés with which we in the West often look at China. With music, history, and culture as a guide, this fascinating performance shows how we can better understand China, then and now.