In November 1979, the neighbourhood committee ‘Onze Arend’ was founded at café Peken Moens, aiming to strengthen community ties in the Arendwijk through local events. The collaboration between cafés and grassroots groups led, in 1981, to the first edition of Arend Carnival. A festive parade made its way through the Right Bank, and the committee launched its own election for an ‘Arend Prince’. Despite the bad weather, crowds of curious visitors crossed the Dender to take part. But where does Arend Carnival stand today?

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Drawing inspiration from the Info~Angel group and the Centre for Societal Renewal, Info~Angel is a series of exhibitions that illuminate the history of Aalst and the Dender region. What lies concealed in our local past? What provokes (or ‘stings’) us? And what captures our attention?