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Walloon artists have always been very much part of European cultural movements. With their own identity and sensitivity, they've added their own special touch to some major trends, adapting somewhat neglected styles that they have managed to restore, making them art forms in their own right.

Music

From as early as the 9th century, there are records of a rich musical tradition in Wallonia. These include masters like Johannes Ciconia, one of the pioneers of polyphony in the 14th century, the innovative Josquin des Prés, who created a close link between music and text, and Roland de Lassus, the great creative musician who charmed the courts of the Renaissance.

Then came François-Joseph Gossec and André-Modeste Grétry, who brought new life to opera, Adolphe Sax (the inventor of the saxophone), Eugène Ysaye (the creator of the famous Queen Elisabeth competition) and César Franck, to name but a few.

The 20th century was a time of great changes in the world of music. Each decade had its own distinctive style. Singers from our region embraced the new trends and added their own personal touch. From William Dunker to Julos Beaucarne, not forgetting Pierre Rapsat, Jeff Bodart, Maurane and the group Sttellla, Wallonia has produced a number of renowned singers who have all made their mark on the music scene.

Wallonia is also a great place for musical expression: local music and music from elsewhere feature in the many festivals held throughout the year: the Dour Rock Festival, the "Gaume Jazz Festival", the Liège Jazz Festival, the "Francofolies de Spa", and many more.

Literature

Ever since the creation of Belgium, literature has featured prominently in Wallonia. However, because Paris is known as the place to be for budding writers, it has been difficult for home-grown Walloon writers to make their mark. Not to be outdone, some of them have made their mark by excelling in genres that have been snubbed by the French literary establishment! Many great works have been produced by Walloons: detective stories by Simenon, symbolism by Albert Mockel, magic realism by Franz Hellens, surrealism by Achille Chavée and Henri Michaux, regionalism by Arthur Masson, etc.

It should also be emphasized that our region has welcomed a whole host of contemporary writers: Amélie Nothomb, Jacqueline Harpman, Jean Louvet, Jean-Claude Bologne, François Emmanuel…
In addition, our region has produced the highly acclaimed grammarians Maurice Grévisse and Joseph Hanse.

Comic strips

The comic strip as a genre was created in Wallonia. From its humble beginnings, it has grown into the "ninth art". Tintin, the Smurfs, Boule et Bill, Astérix, Natacha, Spirou and other legendary characters were created by talented artists like Hergé, Morris, Franquin and Walthéry. The journal de Spirou, the Marcinelle school and the publishing houses of Casterman, Dupuis and Lombard have helped make what was once considered a mere distraction into a genuine art form!

The comic strip has taken off and now ranks among the most popular literary genres in the world. And as the literary styles used have diversified over the years (science fiction, fantasy, humour, caricature, detective stories, folklore, suspense, romance...), the comic strip has truly benefited from the talent and imagination of Walloon artists.

Painting and sculpture

Walloon artists have helped promote every new artistic trend: Flemish painting with Robert Campin and Roger de la Pasture, landscape painting with Joachim Patinier, romanticism with Antoine Wiertz, realism with Pierre Paulus… Surrealism found fertile soil in Wallonia and features prominently in works by the masters René Magritte and Paul Delvaux.

Wallonia was also home to engravers such as Félicien Rops and sculptors like Constantin Meunier and Félix Roulin, artists who truly gave their all in terms of art and know-how.

Cinema

Walloons are increasingly winning acclaim in world cinema! Actors such as Benoît Poelvoorde, Natacha Régnier and Marie Gillain and directors like Benoît Mariage, Alain Berliner and Gérard Corbiau have earned a reputation for their work beyond our borders, not to mention the many awards won by our actors and directors.

Who could forget, for example, the Palme d'Or award won at the Cannes festival by Emilie Dequenne for "Rosetta", a film directed by the Dardenne brothers, the César awarded to Pascal Duquenne for "Le huitième jour" ("The Eighth Day") and, more recently, Natacha Régnier, Olivier Gourmet and Cécile de France, who have won tremendous acclaim for their brilliant performances!

For more information: www.wallimage.be

Theatre and dance

Wallonia has more than its fair share of theatres- and plenty of actors besides! The performances highlight the richness of the literary and artistic heritage of our region.
Comedy, poetry, drama, humour, circus… you can find just about everything in Wallonia!

Our theatres also put on dance extravaganzas. The Charleroi/Danses company and the Dragone group have made a name for themselves in the world of dance by creating a subtle blend of creativity, passion, choreography and audiovisual effects.

Arts and crafts

Wallonia offers many arts and crafts: lace, goldsmithery, ceramics, stained glass, copper, tin, glass, etc. A tremendous variety of materials are on hand for Wallonia's craftsmen. An ongoing tradition of creative excellence has developed among master craftsmen in many Walloon towns: ceramics in Andenne, leather work and copperware at the Cité des Copères works, pewter in Huy, crystalware in Val St-Lambert…

The Walloon style has also produced talented designers such as Olivier Strelli and the hatmaker Elvis Pompilio.