DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Dries Douibi to lead Brussels' KVS theatre from 2026

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Dries Douibi will become the new artistic director of the Royal Flemish Theatre (KVS) in Brussels starting September 2026.
  • Douibi, who has extensive experience in the arts sector, will succeed Michael De Cock and will shape the theater's artistic direction with Kristien De Coster.
  • KVS aims to be more of a theater for Brussels, fostering collaboration with local artists and communities while maintaining its role as a Flemish cultural player and a

Dries Douibi is set to take the helm as the new artistic director of the Royal Flemish Theatre (KVS) in Brussels, beginning in September 2026. His six-year tenure will see him succeed Michael De Cock, who is moving to the Théâtre de Liège after a decade at KVS.

The KVS board looks forward to this new chapter.

— KVSThe KVS board expressed anticipation for the new artistic director's tenure.

Douibi brings a wealth of experience from both Brussels and international arts scenes. He has established a strong reputation as a dramaturg and curator within the performing arts landscape, gaining deep insight into the artistic, social, and political dynamics of the Belgian capital. His previous roles include serving on the artistic direction of the Kunstenfestivaldesarts for eight editions, programming performing arts at Beursschouwburg, and leading the Bâtard Festival.

For Douibi, KVS must be even more a theater of Brussels and work more closely with Brussels artists, organizations, schools, associations and residents.

— KVSThe KVS board outlined the vision for the theater under Douibi's leadership.

He has also collaborated as a dramaturg with renowned artists such as Milo Rau, Jaha Koo, and Kate McIntosh. Since 2025, Douibi has been the artistic director of LOD Muziektheater in Ghent. KVS's choice for Douibi signals a commitment to an artistic leader deeply rooted in Brussels with a significant international network.

The position of KVS as a strong Flemish and Dutch-language cultural player in Brussels must not be lost sight of.

— KVSThe KVS board emphasized the importance of maintaining the theater's Flemish identity.

Douibi will work alongside Kristien De Coster to guide KVS's artistic future. The theater's board expressed anticipation for this new chapter, emphasizing Douibi's vision for KVS to become even more of a "theater for Brussels." This includes closer collaboration with local artists, organizations, schools, and residents, without compromising KVS's position as a prominent Flemish and Dutch-language cultural entity in the city. Douibi also intends to expand international collaborations with European city theaters and art houses, positioning KVS as an "antidote to polarization" by using art as a unifying force to bridge divides within the city.

with art as a connecting force, bridges can be built between people, communities and different realities in the city.

— Dries DouibiDouibi's vision for KVS to act as an antidote to polarization.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog