Building bridges between different worlds has been Daniel Verstappen’s mindset for quite a while. Always aware of new sources of inspiration crossing his path, The pianist and composer clearly has found a new one in the «silhouettes» of designer Katerin Theys.
At his latest Castle concert at Alden Biesen Belgium last Sunday (September 7th) he improvised live 🎹to pay tribute to her creations🥻👘
The designer, based in Belgium as well as Hong Kong, and the maestro’s first collaboration goes back to earlier this year when Daniel was touring through Japan and South Korea, while wearing her designs on stage.
Also starring last Sunday at Alden Biesen 🏰: the amazing soprano Janine Kitzen and the one and only Marina Barskaya and her inseperable fiddle 🎻🎼.
Congratulations are in order once again!
We gladly share some more images of ArtistCongratz proudly presenting all this extraordinary talent…
All on stage (including your presenter;)) wore Katerin’s silhouettes, as the designer herself likes to call them. (See pics below)
All ears & eyes on a fiddle fairy 🎻 Marina Barskaya Along with Daniel she made classic pieces and iconic movie soundtracks composed by Hans Zimmer and Karl Jenkins among others come to life.Daniels latest musical bridge leads to Janine Kitzen, a well known soprano from The Netherlands who has also performed alongside André Rieu. 🎶🎶More live performances of Daniel Verstappen & Guests coming 🆙 👉Check all dates on http://www.danielverstappen.com
ArtistCongratz presenting live at the Castle 🏰
Care to read even more about Daniels performances at the World Expo in Japan ? Please check out my article in BJA magazine ⤵️
Last month ArtistCongratz managed to witness and interview a particular actress and singer with more experiences than most of us combined. Not only has she been around for more than ten decades, she’s doing it while sharing her talent and stories with us on stage to this day, celebrating a century full of life.
At 101, Alice Toen still has the twinkle of a youngster in her eyes. Like a living story book seasoned with poetry and songs she matches extremely well with young(er) musicians in a unique formula of spoken word meets nostalgia through intimate vocals and strings. Her mantra ? Keep on creating, love your time on stage and healthy food.
Enjoy a visual glimpse of her performance at the opening night of this years TAZ-edition at Kursaal Ostend ⤵️
Like the one last night at Sportpaleis in my first-ever-hometown Antwerp.
Extra Congratz to true artists like Dua Lipa 🪽, who’s music and lyrics I found so inspirational it lead me to writing my first novel.
Your editor
But first, let me «tell📽️🤳» YOU
about last night,
how Dua Lipa enlights 👁️⤵️ 🔥
🤍🦢🐎🐎🫶🪑🌹🫶🙌🦋💃🏆🩱👸🏻🪽🤍🏳️👉💪🫶🎤🧜🏼♀️Please also give it up for Alessi Rose, Congratz on your scintillating performance in the pre show 🌹as well as my country’s pride and joy & special guest star Angèle & TikTok revelation Pierre De Maere 🇧🇪🎶« Hope we took a good Selfie » 🤳 🤪«Thank you to ‘Backstage-Messenger Mr. M Hope my jukebook finds Dua well 🤞»
Meet Dua Lipa’s personal Chef 🧑🏻🍳
🤞🤞 «Dua Lipa’s favourite dish ? All kinds of pasta 🍝 😋»
Some time ago I blogged about a particular singer-songwriter-by the-sea🌊. One who manages to “marry” his “native language” to the ones of the audience he’s playing for. On his new (fifth) album, he even presents a song exactly about that. However, this native language he’s singing and writing in, sounds so appealing it might as well be…(y)ours and by all means all “citizens of the world”
ArtistCongratz also likes to refer to it as the juiciest form of “Western Flemish” 🤠 totally in line with the undeniable wit of… Augustijn Vermandere, fellow citizen of the world 🌎 🎶, paying tribute to the universal power of music, which we all can use even more in present times 🎁
En/Of was presented in his hometown Ostend at city’s concerthall De Grote Post. The title of the album means a lot more than its literal translation: And/Or. How about “For Sure, we want this universal tribute to music coming through our earplugs & headphones all over the planet🎧 !”
See, listen and discover for yourselves how Augustijn manages to captivate his audience, becoming more and more smitten with his catchy lyrics, tunes and…very own language 🎶⤵️
En/of, translation: and/or is the Fifth album for Augustijn. He can sing in whatever language and still sound extremely universal; as «Western Flemish» by the North Sea should be of course 🌊💿
33318 trade visitors in just four days, taking part in over 500 events.
Curated by BCBF and its 1,577 exhibitors from approximately 95 countries.
Covered by journalists from over 40 countries. ArtistCongratz 🇧🇪being one, took part for the first time. While blogging; accompanying, spotting and matching fine young talented illustrators and authors on their journey towards discovery💡✍️
📖🖼️🇧🇪🇸🇦 the only way, look 🆙 😉 Belgium meets Saudi Arabia at Bologna’s Children’s Bookfair 2025
So far some impressions, facts and figures of the 62nd Bologna Fiere in a nutshell.
Care for more sneak peeks of our own journey as Bologna Fair Firsttimers?
Keep up the viewing ⤵️
Nice meeting Hooria from Germany/Iran (on the left in the picture). She is studying educational science, working on a dentist project to be illustrated for kids AND parents. This was at the PublisHer Booth network event on Wednesday, while she’s watching drawings from Lauren, a young emerging Belgian illustrator who’s latest publication “Nachtraafmeisje” (author Gitta Van Lommel) was highlighted at the Fiere by Belgian Publisher Clavis ⤵️Find out more about Lauren’s impressive work as an illustrator ➡️https://www.laurenpletinckx.comLauren Pletinckx, Belgian illustrator of “Nachtraafmeisje” written by Belgian author Gitta Van Lommel, published by ClavisHarper Collins, one of the biggest international bookpublishers world wide, of course also present in Bologna
Presenting this year’s Guest of Honour Country: Estonia 🇪🇪Nice booktalks in English & “un poco Italiano” over Dolce 🧁 & Espresso ☕️ at PublisHer Booth on Wednesday morning 👌How about a story totally written in a fictitious language ?Belgian and internationally renowned author Wally De Doncker taking a look at Lauren’s portfolio 🖼️🖌️Thank you for recognizing and encouraging young illustrating talent !
“Building new professional relationships”
ArtistCongratz is definitely on the same networking page as Antonio Bruzzone, General Director of BolognaFiere, who looks back on this 62nd extraordinary edition as a fair that continues to grow in participation and quality.
The success of the exhibitor numbers from all over the world is the result of the scouting work that the fair carries out, a constant and global commitment: being present worldwide, all year round, is essential to understand the trends of markets, including emerging ones, and to build new relationships.
Antonio Bruzzone General Director of BolognaFiere
Antonio Bruzzone: We are also honoured to continue our collaboration with the United Nations, a prestigious partner with whom we share a commitment to sustainability, both in editorial content and in industrial processes, a theme that is increasingly crucial for the future of publishing and beyond.
Among new participating countries this year Albania, Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Georgia, Guatemala, Iceland, Madagascar, Malta, North Macedonia, Peru, Sri Lanka (Thailand) and Saudi Arabia, where ArtistCongratz received a warm welcome 📸 while promoting the work of Belgian emerging illustrator Lauren Pletinckx The fair confirms itself as the most important global stage for the exchange of rights and copyrights in the children’s and young adult sector, promoting content that develops throughout the entire book chain and beyond ⤵️
From scouting new talents to seeking new voices in emerging publishing markets. Additionally, among the main novelties of this edition was the new Games Business Centre – in collaboration with Frankfurter Buchmesse and created with Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids – which joined the second edition of the TV/Film Rights Centre, completing Bologna’s book-to-screen offering: a success with over 600 meetings held between publishers and professionals from the gaming and audiovisual industries.
The theme of sustainability was at the heart of the debate, through renewed collaboration with the United Nations and a focus this year also on the sustainability of publishing industry processes, in a meeting curated together with BBPlus, the space dedicated to general publishing that completes the fair’s editorial offering.
BolognaBookPlus 2025 was sold out with a waiting list for the first time. Rights were traded among the 56 participating countries. With an AI Summit run with Shimmr, an Audio Forum and a multitude of seminars featuring industry leading.
Along with the Fiere more than 100 underground events were organised by exhibitors at the exhibition centre and around the city. Four days of the event during which Bologna becomes the global capital of children’s publishing every year. But the fair is also international in terms of digital presence and media coverage, with over 2 million pageviews from more than 180 countries.
The 63rd edition of Bologna Children’s Book Fair, along with BolognaBookPlus and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids, is expected to take place at BolognaFiere from April 13 to 16, 2026, with Norway as the Guest of Honour Country.
BolognaFiere 2025 (31.03-03.04) is organized by BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus) – in collaboration with the Italian Publishers Association and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/Kids).Our Aftermovie entitled: “Rockin’ it at BCBF 🇮🇹” 📺🎞️
Did you know that World Piano Day is held on the 88th day of the year because most piano’s have 88 keys? Who else than a pianist would know and want to share this scintillating fact?
The one playing a keyrole in this story we have been following for quite a few years.
Wonderyears that is. As in plural. As Daniel Verstappen continues to grow as an artist every season of every year. No wonder Vivaldi inspires him so much ;)☀️❄️
His golden formula: connecting and reconnecting with cultures and like minded artists through his piano play. The instrument being his absolute Soulmate 🎹 and inspiration, also has become a signature song 🎶. Extra to be celebrated on March 30.
In 2024 his worldtour took Daniel to iconic playgrounds like Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall New York.
Just a few weeks ago he dazzled part of India along with the Belgian-Indian soprano Turiya Haudenhuyse.
Scroll to see which Belgian Royal was in admiration of these two talented artists who happened to be former co students at the music academy.
We could and would not deprive you from sharing our latest live encounter with these mesmerizing artists. Enjoy last Sunday at Castle Alden Biezen, not far from Daniel’s hometown, as if you had frontrow seats 👏
Impressions of an impressive improvisation 🎶🎹
Daniel also likes to encourage young pianotalent and introduces them at his concerts⤵️this particular young maestro is only 15 years old (!)
Meet the maestro, the soprano, the piano prince and the fiddle fairy 🎹🎤🧚 🎻Daniel Introducing Juul Smekens, winner of the latest piano talent hunt https://www.turiyahaudenhuyse.com
In June the Bridges Between Cultures-story is to be continued in the far east…as Daniel is headed for…Japan. And last but not least he is working on a brandnew album. Looking forward 🙌 but first another royal flashback⤵️
👑
This highlight in Mumbai just a few weeks ago in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium is also one for the books.
Coming across highly talented international creators and performers at sea…probably means you are on… a cruise in international waters ☀️🚢.
This post is dedicated to all the magnificent artists and gentle people I came across on MSC Lirica in early March.
Congratz to all of you !
And we were lucky to be able to personally meet and greet one particular dancing duo 🩰 💃🕺nice to meet you Sam and Laura!
Thank you for treating the audience every single night to your dazzling twists and turns on the ship’s Broadway theater stage. Not to mention your stunts at last Thursday’s White Goodbye-Party of course 🤍 👋
⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️🕺🤍💃
Special Congratz to Sam and Laura from Columbia 🇨🇴 !!
Thank you for sweeping us away with your avant garde state-of-the-art-modern-meets-classic-choreographies 🔥
Buena suerte para ambos !! Hasta la vista y muy bienvenidos en los escenarios belgas en el futuro 🤗 🎶🩰
One of the last but certainly not the least showcases we witnessed at ESNS back in January was the gig of twins Jírí & Ondrej from Czech Republic 🇨🇿 aka Bratrí. An impressive immersive experience awaited.
See for yourselves…unfortunately this blog is not (yet) fourdimensional, otherwise we would treat you as well to the mint flavours 🍵and the appetizers 🥗 in the second and the third below ⤵️
🎧🎶How an audience can have a blast 💥🔛 the coziest dancefloor 🪩 👯♂️
And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for… Happy Belgian Music Week 🎶🇧🇪!
Marta Da’Ro & audience in full stage trance
In our previous post we gave you a sneak peek of what drives sixtime Awardnominee Sylvie Kreusch but at the same time we witnessed more young music talent from Belgium live at ESNS ⤵️
ArtistCongratz is delighted to share live ESNS-showcase footage with you from
Marta Da’ro, Berre and Colt⬇️🎶
Marta Da’ro immediately sets the tone at the start of her showcase The energy and charisma of Colt as a unique duo is undeniableColt view by Boomerang 🙌👏For Berre, It all started by sharing his songs on TikTok, until his talent got noticed by major recordcompany Universal 🙌
It was great to see hope and perseverance translated into music by so many talented youngsters from all over Europe at this year’s EuroSonicNoorderslag in Groningen🇳🇱 🎼🇪🇺
Stay posted for “Twins Peaking” from Czech Republic 🇨🇿 in the Netherlands at Het Paleis Groningen. Artists & twinbrothers Jiri and Ondrej were interviewed by ArtistCongratz once before. It became a joyful reunion beyond their immersive experience frontstage filling a typical Brátrí’s dancefloor. Mint flavor fumes on top of the beats included.
But first things first let’s have a closer look on some Belgians B(l)ooming at ESNS 🇧🇪🎵
With Belgian music week 🇧🇪🎶just around the corner it was a pleasure to witness the latest generation of our music scene live, first hand. Featuring among others (we will surely see in the future): the energetic duo Colt, the enchanting Berre, the captivating Marta Da’ro and of course a vision in blue and multiple Belgian Music Industry Awardnominee Sylvie Kreusch ⤵️ 🎤
Sylvie Kreusch, an Audio-vision in blue 🎶 at Oosterpoort Groningen on Thursdaynight January 15-16th
Her hopeful high notes and lyrics are often inspired by her own experiences, she told ArtistCongratz.
And about a decade after performing here with her first band Soldiers Heart she nailed it again with a stunning solo performance at Oosterpoort Groningen and an extra showcase at the iconic recordstore PlatoSonic.
Sylvie Kreusch: Hard to believe that I first played @ ESNS about ten years ago, Time flies!
AC: Your newest album takes us on a Comic Trip 💥, literally. This being reminiscent to the world of comic heroes, were you inspired by them🦸🏻♀️?
Sylvie Kreusch: Actually not really no. My music is mostly inspired by my own life. Kind of 🙂 But during my childhood I spent a lot of time in my grandmother’s addic, where she happened to have a lot of comics 📚stored. I spent a lot of hours reading there, with my head in the clouds, literally.
Along those clouds 💭Sylvie takes you anywhere …on a Comic Trip like this one: once upon a time in her very own wild wild west💥
Another song of Sylvie is becoming an anthem beyond borders. Performing it live at ESNS while connecting with the audience in her own unique way proved once again that “Walk, walk” already is an evergreen.
AC: “Walk walk” seems to have a healing effect on a lot of people…
It is a hopeful song. And kind of therapeutic isn’t it ? I guess all of us can relate to those moments when we are razed to the ground. And then we build ourselves back 🆙
Sylvie Kreusch 🔛 “Walk, baby, walk🎶”
What better venue to treat the audience to an extra private showcase than this iconic recordstore called PlatoSonic in Groningen 🎤🙌
Comic Trip (down memorylane 💽 also available on vinyl)
💽💽💽💽💽💽💽💽💽💽💽 Congratz Sylvie & Cie !
Stay tuned for more ESNS-tales ! Coming 🆙 footage of Marta Da’ro, Berre, Colt & Brátrí
ArtistCongratz 