Body & Soul, Europe’s First Humanatorium
How can we, as human beings, truly flourish in body and mind — how can we build resilience, create places of happiness, and use movement in a world full of change? That’s the central question behind Body & Soul.
Every two years, Leuven transforms during the Body & Soul city festival into a vast playground full of unexpected encounters: from interactive art installations to digital surprises, explorations in nature … you name it.
But Body & Soul is more than a city festival. For ten years, it will serve as Europe’s first Humanatorium — a living lab exploring human flourishing. A place where knowledge, imagination, and adventure meet.
Everything we discover along the way is collected in our Bloom Library: a growing collection of experiences, stories, and insights on how humans can flourish in body and mind. This library is for thinkers and doers, dreamers and daredevils. In short, for everyone. And we share it proudly — with Leuven and with the rest of Europe.
Searching Together, Flourishing Together
Flourishing is more than a moment of happiness. It’s a journey — sometimes light, sometimes sharp. Body & Soul creates the space where both can exist: joy and pain, wonder and friction.
In this mix lies the strength of Body & Soul: you feel where it rubs, you discover where it blooms. Everything we learn along the way grows into the Bloom Library we are building together.
Body & Soul: A Living Lab
Body & Soul is the living lab where we seek playful experiments and encounters. We do this in cultural centers, companies, digital spaces, and just as well in unexpected places in nature. Together with people from Leuven and far beyond, we explore how humans can truly flourish in body and mind.
We focus on three central research questions:
- BACKBONE: How do you build resilience? How can individuals and communities stay strong in a turbulent world?
- HAPPY PLACES: What does your place of happiness look like? How does it feel to celebrate together on lively squares or to get lost in wild nature? Experience it and help shape happy places — far beyond the beaten path.
- JUMP FOR JOY: What moves you? Let your body take the lead, stand up for what you believe in. Discover rhythms that awaken yourself, others, and the world — because real change starts with action.
Why Body & Soul is in Leuven’s DNA
Since the 12th century, with the founding of the first hospitals, care for both body and soul has been deeply woven into the fabric of the city of Leuven. From Andreas Vesalius, founder of modern anatomy, to the new Vesalius Museum, Leuven has always been a city that connects care, science, and society.
Today, that tradition continues through leading institutions such as KU Leuven, UZ Leuven, and imec, where knowledge, technological innovation, and healthcare reinforce one another. Alongside these institutions, a vibrant ecosystem of innovative care practices and community-based initiatives is shaping new ways of caring.
Leuven remains a city of care – for and by people.
For Whom? From Local to International
Local community — the beating heart of Body & Soul
- Leuven residents who want to help build an inclusive and joyful city.
- From young people to seniors, from newcomers to long-time locals.
Professionals & creatives — cross-sectoral networks
- Entrepreneurs, researchers, caregivers, creatives, and policymakers. In short, everyone who wants to collaborate across domains on the future of wellbeing.
- European partners and pioneers in wellbeing events.
International visitors — inspired by innovation
- City trippers and professionals eager to experience Europe’s wellbeing innovation.
Timeline
- 2025: Launch of the research and permanent activities.
- 2026 – 2034: Interim showcases connecting Leuven and Europe: from small exhibitions and performances to inspiring debates and projects.
- 2028: First large showcase festival, where we share our discoveries with the world on an international stage.
- 2035 – …: Launch of Europe’s first Bloom Library on human flourishing — a living collection on how to build resilience, create happy places, and set ourselves in motion in a world full of change.
Leuven is shaping the future of care. Discover our next conference
Conference Culture & Care
Feb 26 & 27 - Culture & Care: A Joint Call for Change explores how culture and care can strengthen and inspire one another in addressing today’s complex societal challenges.
A project with LOV
With “Body & Soul”, we align ourselves with LOV2030 and contribute to the cultural energy that carries Leuven & Beyond toward European Capital of Culture 2030.