Antwerp in August boasts summer-long festivities

The Belgian city of Antwerp will give visitors the chance to take part in its summer-long programme of cultural festivities this month.

During August, the Zomer Van Antwerpen (Summer of Antwerp) will engulf the city, giving holidaymakers the chance to enjoy a range of performances in a variety of unexpected venues.

Better still, lots of these events, which include music performances, film screenings and circus acts, are free to attend.

The festival's official website says that musicians from distant countries will arrive in the city to perform, as will international contemporary circus performers while dance extravaganzas will be put on by world-class acts.

It adds: "[The event] reflects the global nature and atmosphere of the city."

Furthermore, a series of one-off events designed to stimulate the imaginations of festival goers will take place in venues such as derelict buildings, deserted sites and in suburban locations.

Event organisers say this diversity of venues will give the performances a "new reality".

The Time Out travel guide describes Antwerp as a city which has made a "magnificent transformation" over the past half century after being bombed in the world wars.

It adds that it has emerged as a "strikingly confident and beautiful" city.