The Private Foundation Van Biesen–Mestdagh (PFVBM) in Beveren (Belgium)
The Private Foundation Van Biesen–Mestdagh (PFVBM) is a non-profit legal entity based in Beveren, Belgium, and functions as the legal and administrative framework of the Milena principle, an interdisciplinary artistic and cultural platform. Already since the early 2000s, the Milena principle initiates and supports a wide range of artistic and cultural activities that approach art as a nomadic, site-responsive, collective, relational, and ecological practice, with a strong emphasis on long-term, international collaborations in the field of walking arts and on addressing key local-global questions of the 21st century.
As an established nomadic laboratory for art-in-movement, the Milena principle will contribute to WALC through Made of Walking, by hosting a mid-term walking arts encounter in Belgium in September 2026. This encounter will be complemented by a public exhibition, artistic residencies, community-based activities, and international exchange and networking with the WALC Nodes.
Building on long-standing collaborations with Prespa Walking Arts Encounters, The Walking Body, and walk · listen · create, this contribution further strengthens WALC’s collective, place-based, and translocal walking arts ecosystem.
Stefaan van Biesen(B) Co-founder and president of PFVBM. Artist with a central role for walking in his practice, serving as tools for ecological and social engagement. Active with non-native speakers and refugees with language classes. He invests heavily in collaborations with artists, scientists, and multidisciplinary experts. He is managing archives for The Milena Principle. Co-founder of The Milena Principle (international art platform) and Made of Walking. Co-founder of Earth Connections, a traveling art archive. His works are held in private collections and museums across Europe, Brazil, and China, with projects in 15+ countries. His role in WALC goes throughout all work packages as one of the project managers, curatorial lead, and as well supervising web design, digital design, documentation, production and post production of the activities.
Anna Maria (Annemie) Mestdagh (B) Co-founder PFVBM, production assistant for exhibitions and art projects in Belgium and Europe within the Milena principle. Active with non-native speakers and refugees with language classes. Assists and advises artists and art organisations with media design. Trained in digital techniques and web design. For various art organisations (WIT urban Team, the Milena principle) and individual artists, she realised attributes for performances and assistance during the preparation and production. During art projects or performances she works as a collaborator and photographer. Her role in WALC goes throughout all work packages as one of the project managers, and as well supervising web design, digital design, documentation, production and post production of the activities.