DOLCE PAOLA
FESTA DEI BELGI
21 st of July, 2025
On July 21st, we celebrate Belgium’s National Day — in the heart of Puglia.
Dolce Paola – Festa dei Belgi is a unique evening filled with flavour, music, art and connection. A warm dinner, a world-renowned Belgian DJ, a work of art that speaks in silence, and above all: people — expats, Italians, travellers and entrepreneurs — coming together around tables, stories and new encounters. An evening to pause, taste, listen and connect. Where Belgium and Italy meet — culturally, culinarily, and soulfully.
The name is a tribute to Queen Paola — born in Italy, married into Belgium. Just like her, this event embodies the beauty of two worlds coming together. The dinner takes place at restaurant Verso, located on the idyllic Piazza Castello, beside the medieval castle of Conversano — a small town with a rich history as a former county and cultural hub in the Puglia region. The evening begins gently at 6 PM, with soft conversations, summery aromas and flavours that linger. And for those who can't keep their feet still — there’s room for that too.
Registration is open until 30 June 2025. Places are limited. Sign up now using the reservation button.
With thanks to our partners who make this evening possible.
An initiative by Shamanin.
Let’s go. Together.
Want to become a partner? Get in touch via the contact form.
Let's go. Rakesh.
DJ Rakesh aka BlackJack9000 (BE)
DJ Rakesh
From Culture Club to Tomorrowland, from Zanzibar to South America —
for 25 years, DJ Rakesh has been turning dance floors upside down across the globe with his unique blend of old school hip hop, disco, deep house, and mashups you won’t hear anywhere else.
No EDM. Yes to Michael Jackson.
No standard sets. Just pure vibe.
Resident DJ at the legendary Charlatan, and once sharing decks with the likes of 2 Many DJs, Claptone, and Dimitri From Paris.
Let's go. Amarè.
Let's go. Verso.
Let's go. Opeccellente Terra II.
Let's go. Opeccellente Mare.
Let's go. ENCQ.
The Belgian Banksy
ENCQ
ENCQ is a portrait painter and street artist. Born in Ypres, trained in Ghent, and based in Brussels. He paints the human condition as it is: raw, vulnerable, layered — on cardboard and in the streets.
With spray cans, stencils and brushes, he exposes what we’d rather look away from: grief, absurdity, love and struggle, all captured in a single expressive face.
As of May 2025, ENCQ’s work "If you get it, you get it. If you don't, you don't." will be on view at Verso in Conversano.
From 21 July 2025, art lovers will have the opportunity to acquire this one-of-a-kind piece.
Shamanin is an international branding and strategy collective that moves people and brands.
Rooted in vision. Driven by passion.
As the main sponsor and driving force behind Dolce Paola – Festa dei Belgi, Shamanin brings creativity and culture together in an evening of real connection. We work with people who build their business with heart — and with entrepreneurs who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves — beyond borders, in every sense of the word.
Let’s go. Together.
Ciamanin (or Shamanin) means “Let’s go” in the local Puglian dialect — a subtle nod to the place where everything comes together.
C'n g'na ma scì, sciamanin, c'nan g'na ma scì, nan g'n si'm scenn