Vlaamse Volkskunstgroep
De Kegelaar vzw
Rozenkransplein 10
B2610 Antwerpen-Wilrijk
   info » intro » Englishh


"Dansen is onze regel wel…" 


(from a Flemish folk song: "Dancing is our rule…")

Let us introduce ourselves.

"Volkskunstgroep De Kegelaar vzw" of Wilrijk was founded in 1965. Singing, dancing, flag throwing and music were brought together under the name "expressions of folk art". De Kegelaar lets Wilrijk and its neighbourhood enjoy our Flemish and historically Brabant's cultural identity, and taste the diversity of other cultures. Every year (in 2019 on July 8 and 9), the group organizes the successful folklore festival WIVO at which about 3 European guest groups together with De Kegelaar steal the show.

Over the years the group has evolved a lot as to quality. The traditional costumes became more authentic and were playfully extended by various attributes. Dance suites are composed expertly and the performances are accompanied artistically. Each performance tells a story, visually intensified by the use of original properties, adding to the value of the show. This evolution has resulted in obtaining the title "Ambassador for folklore dance in Flanders 2006", something we are rightly proud of.

         

           

Europeade

The goal of the Europeade for European popular culture is to propagate and sustain the unity between the peoples of Europe, to create ties from man to man by popular art, from community to community, so that every people can keep its own cultural identity in this diversity. From the beginning on, our group has participated to this yearly feast.


The (wrongful) old-fashioned image of folk dance is refuted by De Kegelaar, as soon as you are entering the group's rehearsal place. You can see there a strikingly big number of hip youth. With enthusiasm they are enjoying folk dances, rehearsals and performances at home and abroad.
The rehearsals take place every week to guarantee a good basic knowledge and a smooth flow within the group, so that the dancers are able to pay more attention to the artistic finishing touch. Moreover the group also often participates to national course days to learn new dances.

Although folk dancing is not always appreciated at home, our enthusiasm, dynamics and creativity can always fascinate the audience abroad.
At the Folklore Festival in Edegem and at the World Festival of Folklore in Schoten De Kegelaar has proved itself with a purely Flemish, dynamic, youthful and very various programme, and this among spectacular dance groups of Curacao, Colombia, Greece and Chuvashia.

Together with the organization of the annual folklore festival WIVO, also the Europeade is a high point for us. This annual festival for European popular culture intends to propagate and support the unity between the peoples of Europe. By means of folk art it forges ties from man to man and from national community to national community, so that every nation, in this diversity, keeps its own cultural identity. From the beginning our group has participated to this yearly feast of popular culture.
In 2024 about 5000 participants will be present in Nuoro (Sardinia). Of course De Kegelaar of Wilrijk will show off among this colourful pallet of participants.

Either at the folklore festival WIVO, the Europeade or performances at home and abroad, De Kegelaar is looked out for.                              

Diploma "Ambassadeur voor de folkloredans in Vlaanderen 2006" uitgereikt aan De Kegelaar op 24 september 2006 - organisatie: Danspunt (stimulans voor beweging en dans)

Vlaamse Volkskunstgroep
De Kegelaar vzw

 Rozenkransplein 10
B2610 Antwerpen-Wilrijk
 

IBAN NUMMER: BE13 7331 7010 0139
BIC-CODE: KREDBEBB

Our group exists of members aged from 2,5  till…, and is divided in different sections. Every week each section gets its part of dance fun.

Children
Children from 2,5 to 5 years old meet every Saturday from 9.30 to 10.30 a.m. at our place, to dance, sing, play, do handicraft and feast.

Children from 5 to 10 years old meet every Saturday from 10.30 to 12 a.m. at our place, to dance, sing, play, do handicraft and feast.

Youth
Girls and boys from 10 to 16 years old also meet on Saturday from 10 to 12 a.m. at our place. They perform dances from Flanders and the rest of the world, but they also bring their own creations. 

Adults
From the age of 16 dance rehearsals take place on Friday evening from 20.15 p.m. to 22.30 p.m.

Drummers and flag throwers
Drummers (from the age of 10) and flag throwers (from the age of 16) train every Saturday from 10 to 12 a.m. on the grass-field near our place.

Musicians
We are looking for musicians to accompany our dancers musically. Whoever is interested, can contact us without engagement.

If you are interested to join us or if you want to book De Kegelaar for a performance, do not hesitate to contact us.


©  De Kegelaar vzw
webdesign hf