Groot Event organizer in Waagnatie that was being canceled, responds: « One after the other went wrong » (Antwerp)
The second edition of BAP (shortly before Bizz, Arts, Politics) in the Antwerp Waagnation had to become a feast of female entrepreneurship, but it was not to be. The event was canceled on Wednesday last minute. Organizer Thalia Ndabagobetse (35) responds disappointed, but not defeated. « In the days before the event I got boxing from all sides. »
« I am just sending an email to all exhibitors and suppliers who have paid something, » says Thalia immediately when she picks up the phone. « They get their money back. I only respond now because I wanted to have that arranged first. »
The Antwerp sound sounds and disappointed. Her big event to celebrate women fell completely in the water. The first edition in the Ikon disco, a year ago, had been a success. Well -known faces such as Elisabeth Lucie Baeten, Bart Peeters and Dalilla Hermans then attended the event.
Ndabagobetse saw it bigger this year and moved everything to the Waagnation. During the day there would be a market of female entrepreneurs, panel discussions and a real award show. But exhibitors arrived in a virtually empty hangar on Wednesday. A little later in the day, Laura Tesoro canceled her planned performance, because there was no stage.
Documentary
Thalia doesn’t want to say much about what just failed. Not yet. « There will be a documentary in which everything will become clear. We have filmed the way to Bap, the thirty days before. Even now we are still recording. » It is not yet clear when and where the documentary will appear.
« In the days before the event I got boxing from all sides, » she clarifies briefly. « One after the other went wrong. Those are the risks of doing business. I really want to thank the Waagnation. They have done everything to let the event continue. »
That is also the reason why BAP only officially communicated about the cancellation at 6 pm, says Thalia. « We tried to the last minute. Only in the evening did we admit that it would not be the level that we wanted, and that the women we wanted to put in the spotlight earn. »
Red carpet
The start of the red carpet for the BAP Awards was provided at 5.30 pm. Several women were already on the Waagnation, dressed and ready for a party. They were told and there that there would be no show. « We did have a party for the women who were there. Lady Blaxx & Mya Sima have performed, I offered the drinks for free. I have received many statements of support from people who understood that this can happen if you undertake. »
Thalia is shocked by the reactions to the failed event. « My heart is broken, but we are coming back. There will be a new celebration, because women deserve that. »
