Convinced that access to culture is a driver of solidarity, the John Cockerill Foundation is partnering with the OPRL. In addition to the financial contribution needed to roll out the project, John Cockerill employees are helping design the mobile solution: the outfitting of a dedicated van and the creation of a modular “flight case”-style transport unit with a custom-built ventilation system. This equipment is designed to safely transport, protect, and recharge the virtual reality headsets, while also making them easier to set up at host venues.
Starting in early 2027, this mobile unit will travel across the Wallonia-Brussels Federation to reach audiences for whom access to cultural venues can be difficult: students in remote schools, hospitalized patients, and nursing home residents. A first tour of 42 dates in hospital facilities is already scheduled for the first half of 2027. Over the course of the year, the project aims to introduce close to 5,000 people to these immersive workshops.
Beyond musical discovery, the “Orchestre en immersion” project also pursues an educational ambition for younger generations. Virtually placed among the musicians and the conductor, viewers explore the instruments from new angles, become familiar with their sounds, and discover the collective dimension of musical creation. Interactive modules complement this playful approach to spark curiosity, inspire vocations, and enrich their cultural journey. Through this partnership, we therefore wish to put our expertise at the service of sharing and connection, with one conviction: music can be a powerful driver of learning, personal fulfillment, and social bonds, for all generations.
