Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – De Warmste Week dismantling began at Cosmogolem Park, Genk. About 70 workers, led by VRT’s Gunther Lenders, are removing stages, containers, and decorations; 150 people will finish by January 3, 2025.
As VRT News reported, the dismantling of De Warmste Week has started in Genk. Work began at Cosmogolem Park to remove the stages, booths, and decorations used for the city’s annual charity event. The radio marathon ended last Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025, on Christmas Eve. Staff from VRT and the City of Genk had a day off on Christmas Day before returning to continue the dismantling.
What is happening with the De Warmste Week dismantling in Genk
On the 2nd day after Christmas, about 70 workers are dismantling De Warmste Week at Cosmogolem Park in Genk. Gunther Lenders, head producer at VRT, said most of the work will be completed today and tomorrow.
“This mainly involves taking down the set and related structures,”
he said. After that, several large containers and installations still need to be removed.
By the end of the year, around 150 people are expected to have cleared nearly all of the Warmest Week’s equipment. The only exception is the pontoons, which include the studio used for nightly radio broadcasts. These are scheduled to be removed by January 3, 2025.
“It’s a bit cold, but there’s a clear sky,”
says Lenders,
“That makes the ground hard, which is much more convenient than if it were raining and you had to push everything wet into the trucks.”
“This past week was fantastic in every way.”
Lenders conclude.
“The good vibe has been there for a month ago, when construction started. We’re still feeling that good vibe now during the demolition.”
In 2006, Belgian radio station Studio Brussel began De Warmste Week as a charity. The event’s popularity grew rapidly and became a well-known national event, and included music, fundraising, and community involvement.
In 2015, the event became De Warmste Week officially and has now expanded across different cities with public hubs, stages, and live radio broadcasts. Recently, Cosmogolem Park in Genk has been the location of the annual event. In 2025, Genk hosted the event and had a floating studio for nightly radio broadcasts.
