During the annual Theater aan Zee festival in Ostend — a major cultural event attracting visitors from across Belgium — we hosted a “living library”. In a cafe-like atmosphere, guests engaged in one-on-one conversations with storytellers from the LGBTIQ+ community sharing personal experiences: coming-out journeys, gender transitions, healing through art, or simply moments that deserved to be heard.

Inspired and supported by the City of Ostend, this initiative emphasized intergenerational exchange and aimed to extend the reach of the local Rainbow House beyond city borders. The goal was to foster intense human connection, empathy, and reflection on themes like identity, resilience, and belonging.

This was a collaboration between the city of Ostend, Regenbooghuis aan Zee (Rainbow house of Ostend) and Theater aan Zee.

City Profile: Oostende