Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – During the Ghent Festivities, a special “Batakar” afternoon for seniors will take place on July 22, 2025, at Vlasmarkt, organised by Café Charlatan, CirQ, and a local care centre.
As VRT News reported, the Vlasmarkt, a famous part of the Gentse Feesten, is trying something new. For the first time, they’re planning a special afternoon just for older people. The Vlasmarkt is usually known for its nightlife and attracts many young people. However, this year, Café Charlatan and the group CirQ are working together to change that.
They’re organising a full afternoon of activities designed specifically for the older residents of Ghent. Gerald Claes from Café Charlatan says that they want to provide seniors with a place where they can enjoy the Vlasmarkt and a way that is right for them. They want to transform Café Charlatan, known as the place to go to late-night parties, into a fun café known for its music, entertainment, and sense of community throughout the day.
What role do seniors play at the Ghent festivities?
According to officials, this afternoon will be calm and fun, with things planned for older people. There might be music, dancing, stories, games, and places to sit. They mentioned that the plan is to bring different ages together and make the festival open to everyone. If people like it, it could happen every year at the Gentse Feesten.
On Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025, there will be a special afternoon for seniors at the Vlasmarkt during the Ghent Festivities, part of “Batakar.” It’s organised with Café Charlatan, the CirQ group, and a local care centre. They’ll serve free sandwiches with ‘uufflakke’ (a Ghent meat) and Irish coffee. This event isn’t just for older visitors.
CirQ, a group known for its thought-provoking shows, is back for the second year, bringing their experience with older people to “Batakar.” Their performance mixes jokes with serious ideas, asking people to think about how society sees and treats older folks. Through funny acts and audience participation, the event asks questions about respect and relationships between generations.
Officials mentioned that it makes people think, How do people view ageing? How do they treat older people, and would they want the same treatment themselves? By doing this at the Vlasmarkt, the organisers use humour to make people think about inclusion, visibility, and respect for everyone at every age.
