An Unusual Christmas

AN UNUSUAL CHRISTMAS

What to do with your children during the Christmas holidays? Come to the M HKA for a series of creative and unconventional activities. In the brand-new children’s book A Christmas Story by artist Nástio Mosquito, Santa Claus migrates to Africa to be with the love of his life. Inspired by this book, we invite families to celebrate An Unusual Christmas at M HKA from December 26 to 29. We’ll make up stories, create decorations, design postcards, search for the clown within ourselves, and even help the king write his Christmas message… All one of a kind activities.

At the same time, the puppet theater festival OERF OERF is running at De Studio. By showing a ticket from OERF OERF | De Studio, families can participate for free in An Unusual Christmas at M HKA.

With this series of activities, the M HKA offers families a space to play and unleash their creativity, far from the conventional Christmas traditions.

Practical Information:

• Thursday, December 26, Friday, December 27, Saturday, December 28 & Sunday, December 29, 2024
• Friday, December 27, 2024, from 14:30, a reading and signing session by Nástio Mosquito
• Some activities are paid and supervised, others are free and accessible throughout the day

For children of all ages

PROGRAM

Ongoing

• Snipped Christmas Salon
  December 26, 27, 28, and 29, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  Discover the book A Christmas Story in our Salon, which is fully decorated to fit the story’s atmosphere. Along with our guide, you can create your own unusual Christmas decorations.
• Screen Printing
  December 26 and 27, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PMAs a post-Christmas treat, we’ll screen print a unique Christmas card (a wild card!).
• Cloud Knitter
  December 28 and 29, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
  In the universe of illustrator and painter Leo Reijnders (aka The Cloud Knitter), people, monsters, and animals share the same world. The artist will help bring your wildest Christmas fantasies to life in a visual form.

  Guided Tours

• M HKADEE Toddler Tour
  December 26, 27, 28, and 29, from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
  Registrations required
  Ages 1.5 to 4 (with parents)Our guide will take the little ones on a journey through the artworks, allowing them to feel, smell, hear, and move to the rhythm of the artworks.
• A Small Step for a Christmas Human
  December 26, 27, 28, and 29, at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM
  Ages 5+ (with parents)
  Do they celebrate Christmas on Alpha Centauri? What will we do in 20,000 years if there are no (Christmas) trees left? When you travel to the moon, is it better to wear your Christmas hat on top of or under your helmet? During this family-friendly tour, let your imagination run wild as you gather with a guide to create your own sci-fi Christmas story.
  
  Workshops

• (A Not So) Royal Christmas Message
  December 26 and 29, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  Everyone (with parents)
  “Dear fellow citizens, everything is going to…” King Filip couldn’t get further than this when he was suddenly struck by a severe case of writer’s block while creating his annual Christmas message. Under a guidance, you’ll explore what themes are truly important to you, find your own unique tone and voice, and create your own Christmas message. Will you address the country this year instead of our king?
• Reading and Signing Session by Nástio Mosquito
  December 27, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  Everyone (in English)
  As part of his King of Klowns exhibition, Nástio Mosquito released the children’s book A Christmas Story. The artist will read the book aloud – in English – and sign your copy.
• Clowning
  December 28, at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM
  Ages 5+ (with parents)
  Discover the clown within yourself during an accessible clowning initiation for families led by Sven Verelst (professional clown and teacher). Key themes include: play, freedom, imagination, vulnerability, and, of course, humor.