The festival season opened in an extraordinary way this year. Before the first bands took to the stage at Rock Werchter, about 500 volunteers and 250 trainers came together in The Barn for a unique life-saving event: From Bystander to Hero.
The initiative transformed Belgium’s biggest music festival into a giant training ground for CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Rows of mannequins covered the field as participants practiced chest compressions and rescue breathing under the guidance of medical experts and trainers.
Click play below to get a glimpse of the event and our mission:
A Meaningful Collaboration
To mark 50 years of Rock Werchter and 600 years of KU Leuven, the two organizations joined forces for a large-scale CPR training in the festival park. The initiative is part of our Interreg Heartsafe NWE project aiming to build a European network of citizen first responders. The Belgian Cardiological League, the Dutch Heart Foundation, and the Red Cross Flanders also lent their support to this unique event.
Turning bystanders into lifesavers
The goal was simple yet powerful: to show that anyone can become a lifesaver. When cardiac arrest happens, every second counts. Immediate action from bystanders can save lives.
This event also marked the symbolic conclusion of our Interreg-funded project Heartsafe NWE. While this chapter has come to a close, it is only the beginning of what’s ahead — with many more plans in the pipeline to expand lifesaving skills and awareness across North-West Europe.
Lasting impact
The event wasn’t just about one day. Each volunteer left with the knowledge and confidence to step in when it matters most. As the music began and the festival atmosphere took over, participants carried with them more than just the anticipation of a great weekend. They carried the ability to save a life. And that may be the most meaningful opening act Rock Werchter has ever seen.
With great thanks to the partners that made this event possible: KU Leuven, Rock Werchter, Live Nation, Altsien, Belgische Cardiologische Liga, Rode Kruis Vlaanderen, Dutch Heart Foundation and Heartsafe NWE team, and trainers (KU Leuven, UZ Leuven, BeMSA Hasselt & Leuven, Leuven ReanimAid).