Namur, digital city
Namur is the first Belgian city to receive a UNESCO award for digital arts and has been recognized as a "creative city". The Unesco network of creative cities is composed of 250 cities recognized in fields as diverse as crafts, music or gastronomy. Since 2021, Namur joins Lyon or Braga which are also recognized as "digital cities". The network promotes cooperation between creative cities.
Namur's contribution to digital technology is reflected in various fields. The city has its own museum of pioneering computer science (the NAM-IP). It has just given birth to the NID (Namur Intelligent and Sustainable), developed on the Confluence point. Informing, opening the debate and weaving convergences are its objectives, achievable thanks to numerous tools of sensitization, exhibitions, animations, thematic activities. The Digital Pavilion is located on the heights of the Citadelle. It is dedicated to explaining the digital transformation of society. The Pavilion has also been awarded for its eco-design. The KIKK festival was founded in 2011. Each year, it highlights the interactions between art, culture, science and technology. It attracted 25,000 visitors in 2021. It is also the initial partner of Trakk, a fab lab dedicated to digital, creative and cultural industries.
The Intelligent Transport System (ITS) provides real-time information to adapt one's route according to the situation. It facilitates parking and travel in Namur for all types of transport.
Namur, contemporary city
A city of art, the Walloon capital is full of remarkable religious buildings and public or private historic buildings. From the Renaissance to the Art Deco period, the architectural testimonies are notable and numerous. The contemporary period will certainly mark its time too. On the architectural level, we can mention for example the Delta and its new extension, the incredible transformation of the Confluence, the Enjambée or the Pavillon.
Urban art is not to be outdone, especially street art. Since 2015, frescoes bring color to the walls of the city. Impossible to name them all but among them, let's note Vive Nameur po tot de Kahef (rue Basse-Marcelle), Des fleurs pour Namur (place de Québec, next to the Saint-Loup church). The artist Eyes-B, who lived in Namur for twenty years, has given a new look to the Eden wing (the rear façade of the Maison des Échevins). Born in Namur, Évelyne Axell is one of the figures of pop art in Belgium. A pupil of Magritte who passed away much too early, a fresco pays tribute to her in the rue du Lombard, in the historical center of the city. We can also mention the Fresque des Wallons, in the Jardins du Maïeur. With an area of 330 m², it was created in 2004 and increased in 2018. It depicts 250 personalities or represents the activities of famous Walloons whose fame has spread far beyond the borders of the city or the region: François Bovesse, Blanche de Namur, Adolphe Sax, Hugo d'Oignies, stilt walkers or Nafi Thiam, in a more contemporary spirit
Isaac Cordal
Isaac Cordal is not from Namur. But the internationally renowned Spanish sculptor has scattered some forty of his works in the Walloon capital. His statuettes, which draw attention to the absurdity of our consumer society, castigate social inequalities or allow us to take a fresh and curious look at the city and its inhabitants, are placed in unusual, even improbable places. The tourist office provides a map of these "Sculptures in the City", allowing tourists to discover on foot the forty-five 15 cm high figures, made of concrete or polyurethane resin
Namur, city of festivals
Whether it be music, cinema, theater or humor, Namur has been a city of festivals for many years. The Festival des Solidarités celebrates a solidarity open to the world and to others. It is held at the end of August, also at the Citadelle, and attracts a family audience with a wide range of artists (Clara Luciani, Gauvain Sers, Christophe Maé, Eddy de Pretto...). Namur en Mai celebrates the fairground and performing arts since 1996. As its name suggests, it is held in May, during the Ascension weekend. It attracts a hundred thousand spectators each year
The Musical Festival of Namur (in July), offers each year works of all classical repertoires (jazz, tango, baroque ...). It is held since 2021 at the Grand Manège. The Médiévales de la Citadelle (1st weekend of July) is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Europe. The International Francophone Film Festival or FIFF organizes an official film competition since 1989. Feature films and short films are awarded and the official jury awards the Bayards d'or. Benoît Poelvoorde, a local child and proud Namurian, also organizes a festival. The Intime Festival is multidisciplinary. Literary above all, it is interested in other arts such as photography, music or cinema. In a completely different register, another local personality has set up his festival. Gui Home, a young humorist known on the RTBF for his television capsules, launched Namur is a Joke in 2022. A real success for a premiere that welcomed 23 comedians and 12 concerts. To be complete on the festival side, let's mention Nature Namur (films, photos, exhibitions: nature in all its forms), the international festival for young people Turbulences, the Namur Circus Festival (17th edition in 2022) or the KIKK already mentioned above.
Namur, city of water
Daughter of the Meuse and the Sambre, Namur is constantly turned towards its river. The nautical activities are numerous and varied. They concern tourists as well as the inhabitants of the Walloon capital. The Namourettes circulate from stop to stop like a bus. They make it possible to pass from one end of the city to the other in a few minutes only. Namur has two marinas and one nautical stop (Henri Hallet marina in the city center, Plage d'Amée in Jambes and Lives-sur-Meuse marina). The recently developed Confluence allows the people of Namur to reappropriate the urban space around the confluence a little more. To navigate in "tourist" mode, one can embark on a cruise boat, rent an electric boat, a kayak or a paddle. The nautical base of Jambes is now called The Flow. In a green setting, it allows you to practice paddle or simply chill out over a drink, a game of pétanque or beach volleyball. Finally, to enjoy the water, you can also simply walk on the RAVeL which runs along the banks of the Sambre or Meuse.
