‘Blood flowing from Winter Circus’: group of concerned Ghent residents scatters red sand at entrance to VRT World Cup studio

On Sunday morning, November 20, a group of concerned Ghent residents spread 30 kilos of red-colored sand at the entrances of the Winter Circus in Ghent. "It looks like blood is gushing out of the building," they say. The VRT kicked off its broadcasts regarding the football World Cup in the Winter Circus.

"Completely absurd," is how Kaj Zwerver, one of the initiators of the art performance, describes the "World Cup party" hosted by the VRT and the City of Ghent in the Winter Circus. According to the group, by doing so, they are legitimizing the organization of the World Cup in Qatar and the FIFA football association. "Human rights, ecology, corruption: there is so much wrong with this World Cup. We cannot turn this into a party."

A group of about twenty people covered several meters of sidewalk with biodegradable red sand within ten minutes. Work proceeded with concentration at the three entrances to the Winter Circus. "By rubbing the sand into the grooves of the paving stones, it looks as if the blood is really leaking away." Passersby received a manifesto.

It annoys the group of Ghent residents that the VRT reports on the abuses surrounding the World Cup on the one hand, but wants to make something cheerful out of it in the Winter Circus on the other, with a bar and cheering supporters. "An untenable balancing act," according to Zwerver. "The VRT needs to reflect."

The Ghent city council, which paid the VRT to broadcast from the Winter Circus, should also take a good look in the mirror, the sand-spreaders argue. "Does commerce really take precedence over human rights?"

In a manifesto they distributed simultaneously, the group of citizens demands, among other things, that the City of Ghent no longer make the Winter Circus available for World Cup broadcasts. The manifesto was signed by TSG ’t Zal Wel Gaan, Extinction Rebellion Ghent, Jongsocialisten Ghent, Jong Groen Ghent, Meldet vzw, and Café Blond, among others. The sand performance is in collaboration with The Red Sand Project, which raises global awareness of slavery and human trafficking. The sand was scattered right up to the threshold of the Wintercircus, limiting the action to the public space and ensuring the building did not touch it.

“Although we love football, it is not ethically responsible to watch this World Cup,” says Zwerver on behalf of the concerned Ghent residents. “Football should belong to everyone; at this moment, the game is dominated by a corrupt organization.” Referring to the VRT World Cup slogan: “#itsuponus to boycott the World Cup”.