Participatory workshops with youngsters from the OKAN class (Petrus & Paulusinstituut VTI) in the framework of the festival ‘VUURWERK‘ in the public foyer of the cultural centre De Grote Post in Ostend.

RVW collaborated with students from the OKAN class at the Petrus & Paulus Institute VTI in the Lokettenzaal of cultural centre De Grote Post. The project was part of VUURWERK, a multi-day festival organised by De Grote Post, reflecting on what we receive, feel, experience, and pass on. At the heart of the project was the question: “What makes a celebration meaningful for young people? What does ‘celebrating’ mean to OKAN students? And what makes a place feel like home?” Celebration is culturally defined and takes many forms. For many young people, play – alongside food and being together – turns out to be an essential component. After sharing a meal with adults, there is often a strong desire for movement and play.

The workshops at De Grote Post offered a first opportunity to actively involve the students in the use of the Lokettenzaal as a shared space. Using inspiration images and sketches from an earlier residency as a starting point, RVW engaged in conversations with the students around the theme of ‘feeling at home’. These discussions led to the development of spatial proposals and the construction of temporary interventions in the foyer.

Cricket quickly emerged as a favourite activity since the majority of the youngsters were Afghans. But how do you integrate a ball sport into a monumental hall with glass ceilings and large windows? The cricket practice cage served as inspiration for a festive, multifunctional ‘cage’ that could also be used for other ball games. Coincidentally, there is also a historical link: in the Middle Ages, Flemish migrants – especially weavers – played cricket in southern England. The word ‘cricket’ may even be derived from the West Flemish krickje, a wooden tripod or stool. In addition, there was a clear need for a quiet place to sit, talk, or simply observe – a space to experience the celebration without actively participating in it.

The co-created inspiration visuals helped to articulate needs and translated them into concrete spatial proposals. The students helped guide the process and, through sketches, models, and discussions, were given the tools to bring their ideas to life. RVW facilitated this process using architectural methods, with the goal of bringing everyone to the table to talk about space – and to create something together – while inspiring De Grote Post toward a broader, long-term approach to shared use.

‘VUURWERK’ in the News:
De Morgen: VUURWERK in Oostende: tien dagen feest met een (heilzaam) rafelrandje (NL)
De Grote Post: VUURWERK, Living De Post (NL)

More about De Grote Post and OKAN Ostend:

Cultural centre De Grote Post in Ostend
OKAN Oostende, Petrus & Paulus Institute VTI