Grimbergen (Eurotoday) – Voodoo Village, a popular dance music festival set to celebrate its 10th anniversary from September 12 to 14, 2025, in Grimbergen, is facing calls to relocate despite its environmental efforts. The festival, held annually since 2017 in the scenic woods near Gravenkasteel in Humbeek, has expanded its program for the upcoming edition to span three days.
Voodoo Village is known for its commitment to sustainability, partnering with Ecofest to promote eco-friendly transportation and reduce waste. These initiatives have been welcomed by conservation organizations, including Natuurpunt, which has acknowledged the festival’s environmental awareness.
However, Tom Ameye from Natuurpunt Grimbergen is raising concerns about the impact of the event on the surrounding ‘s Gravenbos forest, a designated Natura 2000 site protected under EU conservation laws. Ameye emphasized that while the festival need not be canceled, it should relocate to a site with less ecological sensitivity.
“For us, the festival certainly does not have to cease to exist, but it should move to a place where the damage to nature is less,” Ameye stated.
What Are the Environmental Concerns?
Despite its green initiatives, Voodoo Village is drawing criticism for environmental disruption in the sensitive forest area. The 2024 edition attracted roughly 30,000 visitors, some of whom strayed beyond controlled areas, trampling protected forest paths and damaging flora. Natuurpunt reported concerns over festival-goers smoking in the forest—raising fire risks—as well as the noise and lighting, which disturb local wildlife.
Ameye pointed out that the festival site overlaps with a part of the forest protected under the European Natura 2000 network, which safeguards rare species and their habitats. He noted that many animals, including bats preparing for hibernation in September, rely on darkness and tranquility. The disruption caused by loud music and bright lights can threaten their survival.
Bird species like the black woodpecker, which nests in the area, are also affected. Plant life is not immune either; Ameye cited the Giant Horsetail—a rare plant native only to that particular forest—as an example. It suffered damage during one of the previous festivals.
Relocation Recommendations
Natuurpunt is not seeking a complete ban on Voodoo Village, recognizing its cultural value instead. However, the organization urges a relocation within Grimbergen to a site that does not overlap with environmentally sensitive zones.
Ameye suggested exploring open spaces near the airport as a potential new venue. “There is also a lot of open space there, and it is a cool place. But of course, it is up to the municipality itself to choose a better location. The provincial government can also help with that,” he noted.
The ultimate aim, according to Ameye, is not to silence the music but to ensure that the festival can thrive without compromising nature.
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