The International Bagpipe Organisation presents the
EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL BAGPIPE CONFERENCE
6-8 March 2026
in LEUVEN/BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Co-organised with the University of Leuven
and the Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels
in collaboration with 't Ey Muziekclub and Muziekmozaïek
supported by the City of Leuven
EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL BAGPIPE CONFERENCE
6-8 March 2026
in LEUVEN/BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Co-organised with the University of Leuven
and the Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels
in collaboration with 't Ey Muziekclub and Muziekmozaïek
supported by the City of Leuven
Art: Françoise Bardin / Design: Ruth Christiaens
Programme
Conference ScheduleFriday 6 March – afternoon
International arrivals Friday 6 March 2026 – 19:30 (doors open at 19:00) International Bagpipe Concert (Belarus, Italy, France, Belgium) Sint Antoniuskapel, Pater Damiaanplein, 3000 Leuven Tickets for concert only here. Friday 6 March 2026 - 20:45 til late Bring Your Own Bagpipe party Informal playing in privately rented space at BarVista on Oude Markt in Leuven (the cellar). Bring your bagpipe, grab a beer at the bar and join in the fun (no food provided, but you can get Belgian fries from a typical frieterie and bring them with you to the event). Saturday 7 March 2026 8:45-18:00 International Bagpipe Conference University of Leuven, Faculty of Arts Justus Lipsius Zaal Erasmushuis Blijde Inkomstraat 21 3000 Leuven 18:30-19:30 Wine reception offered by City of Leuven with music by local bagpipe groups, including (order and bands subject to change): Lemens Instituut Bagpipe Class La confrérie des Muchards A Contrabanda Gaiteros Asturianos de Bruselas Sunday 8 March 2026 Train to Brussels (23 minutes) (NOTE: there are unexpected rail works with the train on Sunday 8 March. We will be giving instructions at the conference and will plan to take the same train in the morning so locals can guide internationals). 9:55-12:45 International Bagpipe Conference Conference papers at the Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels 14:00-16:00 Guided visits of the Bagpipe Collection of the Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels (conference participants will be assigned a specific time upon arrival); free visit of the rest of the museum. 15:00 Concert by Brigit Bornauw's Students, Foyer Sax, Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels From 16:45: parting drinks in Brussels NOTE: the MIM visit includes a guided tour of the bagpipe collection in the permanent exhibition of the museum. The rest of the museum will be free of access to conference attendants. The reserves of the museum will not be accessible as the space is too tight to accommodate many visitors. Any person interested in visiting the reserves is welcome to make an appointment with relevant curators to see specific instruments either before or after the conference. Ticket PricesFriday Opening Concert Full Price : 15€
Friday Opening Concert Student/low income : 7€ Tickets for concert only here. Full Conference Full Price: 50€ (includes Sat and Sun lunch and coffee breaks + Sat wine reception) Full Conference student/low income: 35€ (includes Sat and Sun lunch and coffee breaks + Sat wine reception) If you can only attend one of the days, it is possible! Saturday Conference Full Price: 30€ (includes Sat lunch and coffee breaks + wine reception) Saturday Conference student/low income: 20€ (includes Sat lunch and coffee breaks + wine reception) Sunday Conference Full Price: 30€ (includes Sun lunch and coffee break + guided tour of MIM bagpipe collection) Sunday Conference student/low income: 20€ (includes Sun lunch and coffee break + guided tour of MIM bagpipe collection) 
University Library, Leuven
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Friday 6 March 2026
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Photo Gallery
Photo credit: Jacques de Kegel. Please credit the photographer if you use any of the images below.
ARCHIVE
Call for Papers
Timeline
Abstract submission deadline: 15 September 2025
Abstract acceptance notification: 15 October 2025
Abstract length: 250 words
Call for Papers
The International Bagpipe Organisation warmly invites you to participate in the Eighth International Bagpipe Conference (IBC) to mark International Bagpipe Day 2026 (10 March), a celebration of the world’s diverse bagpipes and bagpiping traditions. This year’s conference is organised in collaboration with the University of Leuven, the City of Leuven, 'T Ey Muziekclub, Muziekmozaïek, and the Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels.
In 2026, the conference moves to Belgium (after venturing to Bulgaria in 2024). We are delighted to host our first conference in this country, renowned for its longstanding bagpipe history and culture.
The conference will spread over three days, starting on Friday evening with a social event (details still to be confirmed). The conference will take place at the University of Leuven on Saturday, with a more socialising that evening. On Sunday, we will move to Brussels, a 20-minute train ride away. The conference will conclude with a series of panels at and a guided tour of the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels on Sunday, all to the sound of Belgium’s bagpipe communities who will perform throughout the day in the foyer of the Museum.
The conference is a productive and welcoming platform for all people interested in the study of bagpipes: musicologists, ethnomusicologists, musicians, music experts, instrument makers, dancers, and music lovers. This event is an exciting interdisciplinary opportunity to engage with various questions relating to the study of bagpipes both historically and contemporarily. All are welcome, whether you choose to present or simply listen and enjoy the atmosphere. The IBCs are friendly events, open to all, promoting bagpipes from all around the world.
Presenters from across the world are welcome to present on themes directly linked to bagpipes. Papers touching on other themes such as organology, playing techniques, ornamentation, history, iconography, instrument making, recordings, archiving, collecting, and composing are welcome.
Interested participants are to submit a paper title, an abstract of no more than 250 words, complete with an institutional affiliation or profession and contact details by 15 September 2025 here: https://forms.office.com/e/iSHxyTpByP
Due to a large number of applications in previous years, abstracts from people who are applying for the first time or who did not present in 2024 will be prioritised. This is to encourage a wider scope of presenters. We do, however, encourage everyone to attend the conference, regardless of whether you are presenting or not.
Successful applicants will be notified by 15 October 2025.
Programme Committee:
Dr. Roger Landes (Texas Tech University, USA)
Dr. Cassandre Balosso-Bardin (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Dr. Jean Pierre van Hees (Formerly Lemmens Instituut, Leuven, Belgium)
Dr. Michael Vereno
Dr. Anaïs Verhulst (Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels, Belgium)
For more information or details about past conferences, including abstracts of past papers, please browse our website.
IBC Local organising committee:
Saskia Willaert (MIM)
Anaïs Verhulst (MIM)
Cassandre Balosso-Bardin (KU Leuven/IBO)
Jan Debaillie (IBO)
IBO Committee:
Cassandre Balosso-Bardin
Roger Landes
Jan Debaillie
Abstract submission deadline: 15 September 2025
Abstract acceptance notification: 15 October 2025
Abstract length: 250 words
Call for Papers
The International Bagpipe Organisation warmly invites you to participate in the Eighth International Bagpipe Conference (IBC) to mark International Bagpipe Day 2026 (10 March), a celebration of the world’s diverse bagpipes and bagpiping traditions. This year’s conference is organised in collaboration with the University of Leuven, the City of Leuven, 'T Ey Muziekclub, Muziekmozaïek, and the Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels.
In 2026, the conference moves to Belgium (after venturing to Bulgaria in 2024). We are delighted to host our first conference in this country, renowned for its longstanding bagpipe history and culture.
The conference will spread over three days, starting on Friday evening with a social event (details still to be confirmed). The conference will take place at the University of Leuven on Saturday, with a more socialising that evening. On Sunday, we will move to Brussels, a 20-minute train ride away. The conference will conclude with a series of panels at and a guided tour of the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels on Sunday, all to the sound of Belgium’s bagpipe communities who will perform throughout the day in the foyer of the Museum.
The conference is a productive and welcoming platform for all people interested in the study of bagpipes: musicologists, ethnomusicologists, musicians, music experts, instrument makers, dancers, and music lovers. This event is an exciting interdisciplinary opportunity to engage with various questions relating to the study of bagpipes both historically and contemporarily. All are welcome, whether you choose to present or simply listen and enjoy the atmosphere. The IBCs are friendly events, open to all, promoting bagpipes from all around the world.
Presenters from across the world are welcome to present on themes directly linked to bagpipes. Papers touching on other themes such as organology, playing techniques, ornamentation, history, iconography, instrument making, recordings, archiving, collecting, and composing are welcome.
Interested participants are to submit a paper title, an abstract of no more than 250 words, complete with an institutional affiliation or profession and contact details by 15 September 2025 here: https://forms.office.com/e/iSHxyTpByP
Due to a large number of applications in previous years, abstracts from people who are applying for the first time or who did not present in 2024 will be prioritised. This is to encourage a wider scope of presenters. We do, however, encourage everyone to attend the conference, regardless of whether you are presenting or not.
Successful applicants will be notified by 15 October 2025.
Programme Committee:
Dr. Roger Landes (Texas Tech University, USA)
Dr. Cassandre Balosso-Bardin (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Dr. Jean Pierre van Hees (Formerly Lemmens Instituut, Leuven, Belgium)
Dr. Michael Vereno
Dr. Anaïs Verhulst (Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels, Belgium)
For more information or details about past conferences, including abstracts of past papers, please browse our website.
IBC Local organising committee:
Saskia Willaert (MIM)
Anaïs Verhulst (MIM)
Cassandre Balosso-Bardin (KU Leuven/IBO)
Jan Debaillie (IBO)
IBO Committee:
Cassandre Balosso-Bardin
Roger Landes
Jan Debaillie
Art: Françoise Bardin / Design: Ruth Christiaens