The BUTOR contemporary art biennial settles in Molenbaix from August 22 to October 4, 2026

This autumn, the municipality of Celles will host an unprecedented cultural event of great importance: the first edition of the BUTOR Contemporary Art Biennale, which will take place from August 22 to October 4, 2026 in Molenbaix, at the heart of the remarkable Ferme d'Écavée estate. For more than six weeks, residents, art lovers, the curious and visitors from Belgium and elsewhere will be able to discover an exceptional artistic path where contemporary art dialogues with nature, heritage and the rural landscape of our territory. A biennale at the heart of the Celles countryside La Biennale BUTOR takes place in a unique setting: the Ferme d'Écavée estate, a former 17th-century farm transformed into a hotel and surrounded by eight hectares of nature, including meadows, ponds, wooded areas and heritage buildings. But the event is not limited to this single site. Visitors will also be invited to travel through the village of Molenbaix to discover works installed in sometimes unexpected places: the Saint-Ghislain church, a chapel, an abandoned farm, a football field, a café or even various natural spaces. When contemporary art meets the rural world For this first edition, the exhibition curators Julien Foucart and Robin Legge propose a reflection on our perception of the countryside and the rural landscape. Through the theme of the \"picturesque\", the invited artists explore the gap between the idealized image of the countryside and the reality of a living territory, in constant evolution. The works presented will take very varied forms: paintings, photographs, sculptures, videos, monumental installations and creations made especially for the site. Some will integrate discreetly into the landscape, while others will transform or question it, inviting visitors to take a new look at their daily environment. Artists of national and international renown La Biennale will bring together about twenty Belgian and international artists recognized for the quality of their work. Among them are notably Wim Delvoye, David Claerbout, Jacques Charlier, Mohammed Alani, Charlotte Beaudry, Claude Cattelain, Nicolas Clément, Diego D'Onofrio and many others. Several artists will create works specially designed for Molenbaix and its environment, thus creating an unprecedented dialogue between contemporary creation and rural identity. An artistic walk to discover with the family The proposed route will extend over approximately 3 to 4 kilometers and will require between 2h30 and 3h30 of visit, allowing everyone to explore the works at their own pace. Accessible to all, the Biennale is intended above all as a place of meeting between artists, residents and visitors. Guided tours will also be organized for groups and schools. A cultural project at the service of the territory Beyond the exhibition itself, the BUTOR Biennale aims to promote the heritage, landscapes and identity of the municipality of Celles. By attracting a local, national and international public, it contributes to strengthening the cultural and tourist attractiveness of the territory while creating positive benefits for local actors. This first edition thus marks a new stage in the cultural development of our municipality and confirms the desire to make Celles a place of creation, meeting and artistic innovation. Practical information 📅 From August 22 to October 4, 2026 📍 Ferme d'Écavée and village of Molenbaix (Celles) 🕥 Opening to the public: from Thursday to Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 🚶 Recommended route: 3 to 4 km ⏱️ Average visit duration: 2h30 to 3h30