Fanfakids celebrate 25 Years

Our youth percussion group founded in Molenbeek exists 25 years! Want to join us in celebrating the power of music and the unique diversity of our metropolitan youth? Save the date for their supra-local exchanges with Tarmacadam (Antwerp), their summer tour with international partners such as SKVR Brassbandschool (Rotterdam) and BatukaVI (Grenoble) and the 25-Party at the AB this autumn!

The Fanfakids were created in the heart of Molenbeek during the first Zinneke Parade in 2000. For 25 years now, they play a crucial role in the artistic development of children from deprived neighbourhoods in Brussels. Based on the values of inclusion, creativity and social cohesion, this percussion group has become a unique cross-over between an urban training program and an artistic production.

“My proudest moment? The first performance in front of an audience, when I'd only just started playing with the group!” (Guyliano, Fanfakid since 2018)

The project’s impact is not limited to teaching and developing musical skills (instrument lessons, playing in group, stage presence) and personal skills (ownership, talent development, leadership). Over the years, the project has also engaged in international exchanges via Erasmus+, regional collaborations and interdisciplinary projects to share its artistic and social methodologies in other metropolitan areas facing similar social challenges.

In 2025 the Fanfakids celebrate their pioneer track record with a whole series of events and projects:

Supra-local exchange with Tarmacadam from Borgerhout
Since this school year, these two groups of young percussionists from Brussels and Antwerp have been rehearsing together on a regular base as part of the Slagkracht project, supported by Flanders. Under the direction of Bert Bernaerts ('t Akkoord) and Karen Claessens, they are developing a repertoire that they will perform together from the summer onwards. A first concert is scheduled for 21 June during Borgerrio. During the second half of the summer holidays, youngsters from both group may meet up again. This supra-local cooperation could then be replicated in other Flemish cities.

Festivities in Brussels schools and for Zinneke's 25th anniversary
In April, the Fanfakids kick off their concert season with performances at block parties and other public events. By performing at school parties, they highlight their collaboration with the Dutch-speaking education system in Brussels. Throughout the school year, the Fanfakids coordinators and advanced members of the group give percussion workshops to pupils at Vierwinden, Ket & Co, Windroos and Egied Van Broeckhoven in Molenbeek, Heilige Familie & Champagnat (Helmet) in Schaerbeek and Nieuwland in the City of Brussels.

Of course, the Fanfakids will participate at the anniversary of the Zinneke Parade. On Sunday 25 May, they will be performing at a big party on Place Masui, along with other projects born in the wake of this Brussels cultural biennial..

Brass Beats & Dance : Summer Tour in Belgium with Erasmus+
From 22 to 31 August, the Fanfakids and the teenagers from Strak-X will welcome five partner groups from all over Europe: SKVR Brass Band School from Rotterdam (NLD), BatukaVI from Grenoble (FRA), Let's Make Some Noise from Athens (GRE), Camin Cultural from Potlogi (ROU) and Babel Drum Kids from Balatonboglar (HUN).

For 10 days, around 60 young people work on a collective repertoire during joint rehearsals and several workshops led by Frank Kobina Prah from the Ghanaian percussion group Twerrampon Traditionals. They presented these during performances in the first and second weekends of their residency:

▪️ 23/08 Plazey – Koekelberg

▪️ 24/08 De Grote Sierk – Beveren

▪️ 30/08 Forest Sounds – Vorst

In preparation for this summer tour, exchanges will also take place in Athens from 12 to 19 April and in Grenoble from 11 to 17 July. This Erasmus+ collaboration began in 2021 and has already resulted in exchanges with the SKVR Brass Band School, in Balatonboglar and in Romania, among others.

25-Party @ Ancienne Belgique
But the Fanfakids save the best for this autumn! As a preview, we can already mention their collaboration with Ancienne Belgique: on the one hand, they will present a series of cross-media publications during an AB-Talk. Secondly, on Saturday 25 October, they are organising a 25-Party with the Brussels Philharmonic ensemble of young percussionists and other intriguing artists from the Brussels percussion scene.

For more information and latest updates about the Fanfakids check Facebook and Instagram.