ANTWERP | ‘Martial Arts’: MAS exhibition explores the rich world of combat sports and martial traditions

From, today, 3 April, to 29 November 2026, the Museum At the Stream or Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) will host ‘Martial Arts‘, a major new exhibition exploring the diverse world of martial arts and combat sports, where culture, society and sport intersect. The exhibition examines not only the power and beauty of these disciplines, but also their roots, traditions and layered meanings in a city such as Antwerp and across the globe.

Beyond the clichés

With this exhibition, the MAS highlights the surprising diversity and significance of martial arts. What drives millions of people, of all ages and backgrounds, to practise them? For many, it is a path towards personal growth — a continuous struggle with oneself in which discipline and perseverance are central. Martial arts also bring people together within families, clubs and wider communities.

The ambitious exhibition delves into the rich history, cultural traditions and sense of community behind disciplines such as Thai boxing, capoeira, taekwondo, karate, lucha libre show wrestling, kalaripayattu, kendō, crossbow shooting and Nguni stick fighting.

Roselyne Franken, curator at the MAS, said: “Martial Arts digs deeper than the clichés often associated with combat sports or martial arts, such as aggression, exclusion or an excessive focus on the body. Historical and contemporary objects, stories, histories and personal testimonies reveal the layered meaning of martial arts.”

Five themes

The exhibition is structured around five themes reflecting motivations for practising martial arts: Body, Mind, Combat, Society and Beauty. Visitors can also try out several disciplines themselves — from practising kung fu moves and punching a boxing bag to finding calm in a meditation space. Ultimately, they can step into a virtual boxing ring and compete against one another in an arcade-style game.

Antwerp stories in a global context

‘Martial Arts’ was previously shown at the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam. The MAS now brings the successful exhibition to Antwerp, enriching it with objects from its own collection, unique loans, and new stories connecting martial arts in Antwerp with practices worldwide. Research for the exhibition involved ErfgoedLab, the MAS and Sporting A, drawing on the city’s vibrant martial arts scene.

Stijn De Rooster (N-VA), Antwerp’s Alderman for Sport, said: “Combat sports from all corners of the world have found their place in Antwerp. Yet they still too often seem to be fighting for recognition among the wider public. This exceptional exhibition is an invitation to step into a tradition-rich and multifaceted world where mastering body and mind is central. Visitors will gain a better understanding of the positive impact martial arts have on practitioners, who develop resilience, discipline and self-confidence while pursuing their passion together.”

Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit), Alderman for Culture, added: “Uppercut! You don’t fight to defeat someone else, but to transcend yourself. The MAS shows much more than combat sport in this new exhibition. Those expecting strength will also see vulnerability. Those expecting conflict will discover connection. Martial arts bring people together across borders and generations. This world is full of opportunities: to get to know yourself, to meet others, to grow and to channel your energy. Ippon!”

Beyond the exhibition

Along the escalators in the MAS boulevard, a photographic exhibition by Adel Setta Mellunman presents the diversity of today’s martial arts landscape, offering a glimpse into the daily life of local clubs. The photographs also look to the past. Although martial arts have a long history, archives are often lacking and memories fragmented. The MAS brings some of these stories back to life through images and a dedicated podcast series.

Rachid Atia of ErfgoedLab Antwerp said: “Martial arts evolve alongside a city. The popularity of wrestling, for example, is linked to working-class culture in a port city. The rise of karate, jiu-jitsu and kung fu reflects increasing globalisation. The growing participation of women shows changing social roles. In short, martial arts evolve together with society.”

The Martial Arts exhibition opens on 3 April at the MAS, launching an extensive programme of demonstrations, talks, guided tours, workshops, introductory sessions and sports camps. On the museum’s eighth floor, clubs and visitors alike will be able to train on an open sports floor overlooking the city.

Art and museums in Antwerp

• REVIEW | ‘The Antwerp Six’ exhibition at the Antwerp fashion museum MoMu.
• ANTWERP | Museum Plantin-Moretus’ ‘Plantin’s Plants’ exhibition until 2 August 2026.
• FOMU 2026 | Carrie Mae Weems, Diane Severin Nguyen, Families, and Tenderly There by Tashattot.
• ANTWERP | M HKA opens new season with exhibition on censorship and artistic resistance.
• ANTWERP | Climb the Cathedral of Our Lady tower.
• ANTWERP | Rubens House appoints two design teams.
• ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS ANTWERP | ‘The Fall of Alba’s Citadel. Image and Memory in Turbulent Times’, from 6 February to 17 May 2026.
• Antwerp’s municipal museums surpass 2 million visitors in 2025.
• ANTWERP | KMSKA schedules ambitious exhibition programme for 2026, featuring international masters such as Antony Gormley, Philip Aguirre y Otegui and Ossip Zadkine.
• Museums of the City of Antwerp look ahead to 2026.
• REVIEW | ‘La ligne de vie’ René Magritte exhibition at Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA).
• REVIEW | ‘Universal Tongue’, on dance, at Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS) until 4 January 2026.
• 2028 to be Music Year in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Mayer van den Bergh opens exhibition ‘Public Favourites’, from Mad Meg to Delft Blue, look at art through other people’s eyes.
• ANTWERP | Graphics Museum De Reede ft. Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, Félicien Rops and Albrecht Dürer.
• ANTWERP | Rubens Experience and Rubens Garden at Rubenshuis.
• ANTWERP | Innovations in the Middelheim Museum provide a completely new visitor experience.
• A visit of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum – Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (VlaTAM) in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Discovering queer(ed) art with the Queer Tour at the KMSKA fine arts museum.
• REVIEW | Illusion Antwerpen, an active and photogenic museum.
• Antwerp museums and sports facilities team up with European Disability Card for accessible leisure activities.
• Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
• ANTWERP | Inside Rubens House.
• Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Vleeshuis up for restoration.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Red Star Line Museum.
• Paleis op de Meir. 
• DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds.
• ANTWERP | Red Star Line Museum of (e)migration.