A big thank you to our coordinators
To mark fifteen years of Darklands we treated our coordinators to a special weekend in the Ardennes at the beautiful Château Modave in the province of Liège. Every year we honor the people who keep Darklands moving, but this milestone called for something bigger. So instead of our usual yearly Planning Day, we invited our coordinators for a relaxed retreat where appreciation, connection and a peek at the future came together.
Our coordinators are the driving force of Darklands. They guide and support hundreds of volunteers, suppliers and students who help build the festival each year. They are the point of contact on the ground, the people who make sure everything and everyone keeps moving in the right direction. The weekend offered a moment to thank them for that ongoing commitment.
Throughout the weekend we shared the plans for Beyond Darklands 2026, giving everyone an early look at what’s taking shape behind the scenes. The château made it easy to blend inspiration with downtime as the team settled into the calm of the estate.
And downtime came with plenty of fun. We quizzed, played our own version of The Traitors, had drag bingo and filled the days and nights with small activities that sparked laughter and a sense of togetherness. Our Darklands chef Erwin guided all catering with his usual flair, from fresh oven-baked pizzas to a delicious Saturday evening dinner and a warm and satisfying Sunday brunch.
The Coordinators Weekend became a yearly thank you made a little bigger, a celebration of the people who bring Darklands to life year after year. With 2026 coming into focus we left Modave energized and ready for what’s next.
