During these two weeks, our team focused mainly on transferring the wood from the storage area to the island of Wildernis and organizing the construction site.

We also started assembling the metal feet for the screwpole structure that forms the base of the pavilion, and after that, we created stations to prepare for the placement of the columns and beams.

With a shared vision of creating spaces that encourage wild play and networks of care and co-existence, a strong foundation was already in place for what would become the Cut and Paint community – one of the first steps in the Wildernis Invites project. This initiative wasn’t just the beginning of something new; it was also deeply rewarding and gave us the energy to keep moving forward with the project.

What made it even more meaningful was the way it brought people together. Locals came with enthusiasm, contributing their time, effort, and creativity. The documentation of this process became an important part of the project itself—capturing the care, connection, and collective spirit that shaped it from the very start.

Therefore, one of the first steps was to establish a network of people through local initiatives (like LZSB and Wildebras) who would actively participate in this process and gain a deeper understanding of what was about to take place in their city, becoming engaged members of this transformation.

“ When we announced the “Cut & Paint” initiative on social media, curiosity quickly followed. People began asking questions, eager to understand the project and how they could participate. In a small city like Kortrijk, word travels fast – whether through online platforms or simple encounters on the street.

As a result, a diverse group of people got involved. Among them were members of Compagnie Cordial, an organization dedicated to helping newcomers integrate by connecting them with locals, providing opportunities to practice the language, and working on collaborative projects. Every day, individuals like Ahmed, Yossef, Navel, and Nizar joined in, bringing their energy and dedication to the site.

Teachers like Liese, Inge, and Vincent regularly use the space with their students throughout the school year, making it a natural extension of their classroom. During “Cut & Paint,” they eagerly joined in, helping to paint what would soon become their own outdoor school.

Some of the children who first set foot in Wildernis back in 2015 have since grown into teenagers. Now, they return not just to enjoy the space but to shape it for the next generation. Tuur, Amiel, and Suzanne, for instance, dedicated themselves to sanding—working almost nonstop for an entire week.

The project also drew support from beyond Kortrijk. Toestand, an organization based in Brussels [that focuses on activating and connecting neighborhoods], made a surprise visit. Despite the 100-kilometer distance, they arrived with ten young volunteers, lending a helping hand for an afternoon and reinforcing the sense of community.

And of course, there are even more supporters – the people who show up every time, ready to help, no matter the task. Among them are Jolan, Lisa, Jana and many others, whose ongoing commitment keeps Wildernis growing and thriving.”

– Simon (member of LZSB and Wildebras)

Thanks to this communication the ‘Cut & Paint’ week was about to start. We organized a daily biking group that departed every morning at 9:00 AM from the center of Kortrijk to the warehouse in Wevelgem – a 30-minute ride along the Leie – making sure that everyone could reach the site easily.

To organize the volunteers and make the Cut and Paint week as efficient as possible, we created several task groups, allowing people to move between them and engage in whichever activity interested them most.

Some people were categorizing the wood, others were sanding or painting it and at the same time a new proportion of paint was produced in a big pot every hour while Juul & Emma were cooking meals for lunch breaks. At the last day of the week people came by to help us cut the wood like Victor and Pjotr, as well as transferring the newly painted beams outside to dry.

In this context the ‘Cut and Paint’ week was a rewarding experience not only for the evolution of the project but also for the people who participated in it as well.

We believe that letting everyone engage in the activity that seemed more interesting or fun to them fostered a deeper sense of involvement. By using their hands and bodies to contribute, the participants were able to actively recognize their importance as key contributors to the project. In many ways, they were the heart of this initiative. <3