Both festivals, held in the former hospital on Reepkaai and across 22 city locations, saw a record 5,000 students attend. The event program attracted over 2,900 participants.
Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe expressed the city's pride in the visitor numbers and the festivals' role in positioning Kortrijk as a forward-looking city that brings people together. She noted the increasing number of visitors from across West Flanders, highlighting the region's innovations attracting wider interest.
FTI Kortrijk, hosted in 44 rooms of the former hospital, showcased 52 interactive installations developed by Howest, KU Leuven Kulak, UGent Campus Kortrijk, and Hogeschool VIVES, with contributions from companies like Barco and Voka. The expo made technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics accessible to the public.
Valerie Hellebuck, CEO of Hangar K, shared pride in connecting young people, entrepreneurs, and professionals with regional innovations, emphasizing the collaborative foundation for FTI Kortrijk's future development towards 2028.
WONDER, organized by Designregio Kortrijk, solidified its position with over 50 exhibitions across 22 locations, featuring work from more than 300 designers, artists, and companies from Belgium and internationally. The festival serves as a platform for innovative ideas and fosters entrepreneurship and collaborations.
Stijn Debaillie, director of Designregio Kortrijk, highlighted WONDER's role in providing opportunities for talent and connecting individuals who might not otherwise meet.
The festivals attracted a notably young audience, with 42% of visitors under 30, an increase from 34% last year. The record 5,000 school visits, more than doubling previous numbers, aim to introduce young people to technology and STEM fields.
Geographic reach also expanded, with 84% of visitors from West Flanders, 45% of whom were from the Kortrijk region. This indicates a shift from previous years where 57% were from the Kortrijk region, suggesting increased draw from the wider West Flanders area.
Culture Alderman Felix De Clerck pointed to the 'cross-pollination' between designers, entrepreneurs, and artists as the key success, emphasizing Kortrijk's unique strength in integrating education, culture, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Technology and creativity were also visible in the city's streetscape, featuring interactive projections on the facade of Hangar K, created by researchers from SAIARlab (Howest) and Urban Mapping. Projections also illuminated the former hospital facade and the Belfry.
The extensive program for entrepreneurs, students, and professionals attracted 2,900 participants, more than double the 1,150 from 2024. New this year was THE NEXT STEP by Hangar K, featuring entrepreneur Dominique Valcke, and the UNWRAP Festival focused on the future of gaming and creative technologies.
