Glabbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bunkpop and Strandfuif return to their original location near the Bunker Youth Centre after 46 years in Glabbeek. Organised by volunteers, including youth, led by Joke Jacquemin, with bands like de Mens and Zornik.
As VRT News reported, this year, Bunkpop and Strandfuif festivals are returning to their original location, the meadow next to the Bunker youth centre in Glabbeek, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. This first started 46 years ago. The organisers were allowed to host the festivities at this historic site, and they eagerly accepted.
According to organiser Joke Jacquemin, it’s wonderful to be back at the heart of the municipality. This move brings a sense of nostalgia to this year’s event, strengthening the connection between the festivals and the local culture that has supported them for many years.
What makes Glabbeek’s Bunkpop & Strandfuif thrive after 46 years?
The event starts on Friday, May 23, 2025, with Bunkpop, which will have performances from famous bands like de Mens and Zornik. On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Strandfuif takes over, focusing on DJs and dancing to bring back the fun of the first events.
According to organisers, this year’s theme is all about remembering the past, trying to bring back the feeling of the first Strandfuifs. The organisers are thinking about the future location. They’re open to ideas. They want this year’s Bunkpop and Strandfuif to be more than just a party, they want it to feel like coming home.
Strandfuif, now in its 46th year, continues to be organised entirely by volunteers. According to Joke, a notable aspect of the event is the significant involvement of young people, who play a central role in its organisation and operation. He mentioned that this level of youth participation is increasingly not common, as many organisations face challenges in attracting and retaining young volunteers.
“Nobody gets paid, and that is really unique in the current festival landscape,”
Says Joke.
“We are very proud of that. Our volunteers are between 16 and 70 years old, and we are happy that we can and may still do this.”
Joke mentioned that Strandfuif’s success is due to its strong ties with the youth centre and Bunker Youth, a group similar to Chiro or Scouts. Children can join Bunker Youth from the age of 5, and by 16, they can become active in the youth centre.
He said that this system allows young people to naturally transition into leadership roles, guided by older members. An organiser noted that this intergenerational connection fosters a strong bond.
