On Monday, Calpe hosted the first ‘Calpe Drumt’ with great success, an innovative musical event that brought the spirit of Belgium's famous ‘Kortrijk Drumt’ to the Costa Blanca. The initiative, which coincided with Belgium Day celebrations, brought together dozens of drummers in a unique show that fused Belgian and Valencian culture.
‘Calpe Drumt’ originated in Kortrijk, Belgium, where drummer Gino Kesteloot has been organising ‘Kortrijk Drumt’ for more than 10 years, a mass gathering of rock drummers who play in unison. This Belgian musical tradition found the perfect stage for its international expansion in Calpe.
The celebration enjoyed the special collaboration of the local Belgian community, the third largest among Calpe's foreign residents, who actively participated in organising the catering. As an ambassador of Valencian culture, a giant paella was served for 400 people, symbolising the gastronomic fusion of both cultures, along with authentic Belgian beer to accompany the day of conviviality prior to the concert.
The event was attended by Trui Steenhoudt, Councillor for Mobility for the city of Kortrijk and a percussion enthusiast, who actively participated in the choral drumming session. The Mayor of Calpe, Ana Sala, performed the ‘honorary kick-off’ of the event, playing the first rhythmic bars on the main drum under the direction of Gino Kesteloot.
One of the big surprises of the night was the participation of renowned drummer Neil Cooper, member of the famous band Therapy, who accompanied the local and international participants on stage. All the participating artists, including Cooper, generously waived their fees to make this charity event possible.
The evening also featured a pro bono collaboration from the resident DJs of Calpe Municipal Radio, who left the studio to entertain guests during the pre-concert gathering and between musical performances with the best rock music of recent decades.
The event began with the reading of a manifesto by representatives of the Belgian community on the occasion of Belgium Day, followed by the performance of the Belgian national anthem.
The concert was structured in two distinct parts. The first included percussion pieces by rock legends such as Bon Jovi, Rammstein and AC/DC, while the second part featured popular Belgian songs, notably ‘Mooi, 't Leven is Mooi’ (‘Life is Beautiful’), which was particularly well received by the Belgian community in attendance.
The event brought together approximately 75 drummers from different countries. Most were from Belgium, but it also featured Brazilian drummers led by Alexei Leão and the participation of 10 local drummers from Marina Alta, demonstrating the international and inclusive nature of the event.
The concert ended at 11 p.m. and the clean-up was completed in record time, respecting the neighbours' rest and demonstrating the organisers' commitment to the environment. Both at the beginning and at the end of the event, it was announced that this will most likely not be the last edition of the event in Calpe. The Town Council is already working on ‘Calpe Drumt II’, recognising that due to the heat and the high season dates, many people were unable to participate for work or weather reasons.
The Councillor for Residents, Marco Bittner, described the event as ‘a moment of encounter between Belgian and Valencian culture, exemplifying the welcoming and tolerant spirit of the people of Calpe’. The initiative brought together foreigners and locals in a concert never seen in the area, consolidating the celebration of Belgium Day in style.