Event delayed for three years thanks to Covid
After three years of waiting, the annual VUB staff barbecue can take place again. As a thank you for their hard work and commitment during the past academic year, VUB staff members can enjoy a summery feast on Friday 1 July at 13.00 at the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus in Ixelles.
Almost 2,500 participants have registered for this immense BBQ. To cater for them, 629 tables will be laid, with 6,000 glasses and 1,240 kg of sustainable charcoal for 50 BBQs. To get the party started, at 14.00 The Headlines will perform at the Braem building. Then, at 16.00, regular DJ Hotstuff will provide entertainment on the second stage.
VUB staff director Raf Devos calls it a unique event: “I know colleagues who would pay to get more than 2,000 people together in one location. We are happy that this great annual VUB BBQ can take place again and that our employees will be here in great numbers to start the summer together. This togetherness is part of the VUB magic.”
In the morning, the annual homage to VUB employees who have worked here for 20, 30 or 40 years will take place. Staff members who retired last year will also be honoured.
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is the largest Dutch-speaking employer in the Brussels region. It has more than 3,200 employees; combined with the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, there are more than 6,000 staff members. VUB has a turnover of more than €240 million and a research budget of €118 million. More than 20,085 students are enrolled, spread over four campuses, eight faculties and 83 programmes.
Any food left over from the BBQ will be donated to Poverello, a homeless organisation best known for its food donations to those in need.