Onder Stroom, once a free-haven in Antwerp, located in the ’t Eilandje part of town, near the river Schelde.
An autonomous playground, an artistic and urban laboratorium, a meeting place for its neighbours, for artists, thinkers and dreamers, with enough room for artistic, social and educational activities and events, both in- and outdoors. A breeding ground for young makers, generating bold ideas, both individually and together, resulting in spontaneous cross-pollination and high voltage creative outbursts.
Yet sadly, after four years of what can only be called an immensely valuable existence, it had to close its doors in May of 2023, after a stretched bureaucratic play of not having the right piece of paper, signed by the right person, before the right time.
Onder Stroom was home to multiple occupants and different types of spaces, a lively outdoor square where they built a podium with tribune for public activities, neighbourly concerts, street theatre, folk kitchens, and so on. A small club, which hosted part of Antwerp’s more underground party scene and numerous studio spaces, amongst which a large black bus with an inside that resembles a 50’s USA diner. That bus was later used as a chill out spot or backstage hangout during parties and events.
During our 2023 edition, we brought that iconic part of Onder Stroom to Doel, to stand on our centre square and serve as a more intimate seating area during the day, just as it was used at Onder Stroom, and a surprise micro stage at the night, with unannounced dj sets by Bijoux, Ilias and Bayny. Afterwards, the bus moved to yet another creative hub, Blikfabriek, where it now resides as a place for workshops.
In that moment, we were able to bring part Onder Stroom alive again, even if it was small, it meant highlighting once again the importance of free-havens and autonomous places. Places where stuff can just happen. Much like in Doel.
Here’s visual overview of that surprise event.
Onder Stroom, we miss you. You did well.