Calpe will host Kortrijk Drumt, a well-known collective percussion event held in the Belgian town of Kortrijk, which will bring together more than 70 drummers in the town of Penyal. The show will be held on Monday 21st July to coincide with Belgium's National Day in the Plaza Mayor in Calpe.
The initiative is the result of a collaboration between Belgian resident in Calpe Xavier Samijn, friend of the founder of the event, and the town councils of Kortrijk (Belgium) and Calpe. The event will not only feature Belgian drummers but also Spanish musicians, as the organisers want to open it up to anyone interested in playing the drums.
According to the founder and artistic director of Kortrijk Drumt: ‘We will transport seventy drum kits to Calpe. We will also bring carpets to place the kits on, identical caps and sunglasses, and uniform clothing adapted to the weather conditions at the time’.
‘We want to show people what playing the drums involves and that it really is accessible to everyone, with drummers from all walks of life. Our aim is to encourage everyone to play,’ he said.
Those interested in taking part in Kortrijk Drumt in Calpee should send an email to radioCalpee@ajCalpee.es.
‘This is a unique event being held for the first time in Calpe and we invite everyone to join in and take part,’ said the Councillor for Residents and Twinning, Marco Bittner.
The event in Calpe is part of an international expansion plan for Kortrijk Drumt, which has already performed in Malta and plans to do so in New York, Brazil and Tenerife in the coming years.
Kortrijk Drumt has been held in Kortrijk since 2015 and brings together drummers of all ages. The first edition brought together 137 drummers who simultaneously played ‘Uptown Funk’ by Bruno Mars, setting a Belgian record. Since then, the event has grown in popularity, participants and international reach, always maintaining its commitment to free access for the public.
2025 will be an important year for the organisation, as they will also be holding the biggest Kortrijk Drumt ever on 28th June in Kortrijk with 250 drummers and the participation of international guests such as Therapy? drummer Neil Cooper and members of the Florianópolis Drum Orchestra (Brazil).