Kopergietery Rabot

Kopergietery Rabot is a satellite venue of Kopergietery, Ghent's children's and youth theatre, located in the Rabot district — one of the city's most diverse and lower-income neighbourhoods. Locally known simply as KG Rabot, it opened in 2009 as a second artistic platform for Kopergietery, alongside its main home in a former copper foundry in the city centre.

What exactly is Kopergietery Rabot?

It isn't a grand, traditional theatre with a big auditorium, but a community-rooted cultural space woven into the fabric of the Rabot neighbourhood. The Kopergietery team set out to reach local residents through artistic projects developed together with neighbourhood organisations and local artists. In practice that means regular drama workshops for children from the area, introducing them to stage work, movement and text long before they might otherwise think of theatre as a form of entertainment.

What is the history behind this venue?

Kopergietery itself has a longer story: it started in 1978 as Speelteater Gent under director Eva Bal, and took the name Kopergietery in 2001 when it moved into a former copper foundry building. The Rabot branch is a more recent chapter — a response to the need for a theatre presence outside the city centre, in a district with a high share of immigrant families and a tougher socio-economic profile.

What else happens on site besides performances?

In June 2012, the local eetcafé Toreke opened next to KG Rabot. Kopergietery programmes its own cultural activities there alongside the regular schedule of shows at Rabot, turning the venue into both a stage and a neighbourhood meeting point.

How far does Kopergietery's reach extend?

Across a full season, Kopergietery — through its own productions and guest performances — visits more than 270 schools, reaching around 11,000 children and young people. The Rabot venue is part of that wider mission: bringing theatre closer to young audiences regardless of which part of the city they come from or how much access to culture they otherwise have.

Where exactly is Kopergietery Rabot located?

The venue is found at Vlotstraat 22 in Ghent, right in the heart of the Rabot district, not far from the historic Het Rabot water gate dating from the late 15th century — though it's worth noting that Kopergietery Rabot itself is a cultural institution, not a historical monument.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kopergietery Rabot a theatre for adults? No — it is aimed primarily at children and young people, with workshops and performances tailored to a younger audience.

Can you eat or get a coffee there? Yes, the local eetcafé Toreke has operated next to the venue since 2012, running its own cultural programme alongside the theatre.

Do you need to book tickets in advance? The programme and ticket availability change seasonally, so it's worth checking Kopergietery's current schedule directly before visiting.

Is this the same place as Kopergietery's main venue? No — the main venue is housed in a former copper foundry in central Ghent, while Rabot is a smaller, second location run locally in the district of the same name.