Spots op West is a site‑specific theatre festival held each year in Westouter, Heuvelland, a welcoming festival village in the Westhoek.
Spots on West aims to offer a varied program that provides a rich overview of what community theatre means today. Productions come from both nearby and far away. The charm of the festival lies in its intimate locations. You might perform in a
warehouse, a barn, a church, on the street, or in the woods; anything is possible.
The festival is not only a place to watch theatre, but also to create it. Young people and adults can take part in various workshops that introduce them to different aspects of theatre. Over the course of several days or sessions, they work towards a performance that is presented during the festival.
The village square of Westouter, with its spiegeltent, forms the central gathering point of the festival. Anyone looking for live music, a refreshing drink or side activities will find it here.
Spots op West was founded more than ten years ago as a collaboration between OPENDOEK, the organisation for amateur theatre in Flanders and Brussels, and local volunteers. That last part is essential, because the festival is only possible thanks to the dedication of dozens of loyal and hardworking volunteers with a passion for theatre, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Spots op West is a festival by OPENDOEK, the organisation for amateur theatre in Flanders and Brussels, in collaboration with a local steering committee of volunteers.
Before and during the festival, the steering committee relies on the dedication of dozens of volunteers from the region and beyond. As ushers, technicians, administrative staff, cooks, servers and more, they have supported Spots op West with great loyalty for many years. We are deeply grateful for their hard work and warmly invite them to be part of future editions.
Are you interested in helping out at Spots op West? Take a look here to see which volunteers we are looking for!
OPENDOEK collaborates with numerous partners, including the municipality of Heuvelland.
Spots op West takes place each year in Westouter, a small village in the municipality of Heuvelland, which in turn is part of the Westhoek region. The Westhoek lies in Flanders, the Dutch‑speaking part of Belgium. It is a remote and rural area, yet at the same time centrally located and easy to reach. Westouter, Heuvelland and Ypres are only a short distance from London, Lille, Paris and Brussels.
The Westhoek is a sparsely populated rural region, but it is also innovative in terms of technology and new developments. The closest city to Heuvelland is Ypres.
The Westhoek carries great historical significance, as the region was a major frontline battlefield during the First World War from 1914 to 1918. Every year, thousands of international visitors come here to honour relatives who died in the war or to connect with stories passed down by survivors.
The Westhoek is an ideal destination in Flanders for a peaceful weekend or week surrounded by nature. Walkers and cyclists can fully enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
If you would like more information about OPENDOEK’s site‑specific festival Spots op West, feel free to contact us.
By phone: 03 206 75 82
By email: spotsopwest@opendoek.be
