The Belgian Embassy in Spain organises a hackathon at ESNE to promote cooperation in the creative and digital industries between the two countries.
Within the framework of the third edition of Casa Wallonia 2023, AWEX (Walloon Agency for Export and Foreign Investment) is organising together with ESNE the first Spanish-Belgian hackathon which aims to promote the application of video game and animation technology for the dissemination of culture, education and tourism.The purpose of this initiative is none other than to promote cooperation and innovation in digital industries between the two countries, create synergies between the Belgian and Spanish business ecosystem and, in turn, boost the European creative industry.At a time when the video game and animation sectors are booming, it is important to take advantage of gamingtechnology to make it more attractive for young people to approach any educational discipline, as well as culture in general and tourism in particular.Between February and April, both students and companies participating in this hackathon will meet virtually to work on projects and develop products that fit with the proposal that has been launched, to present the prototypes made at an event to be held at ESNE on 25 April, where a jury of Belgian and Spanish professionals will evaluate them and decide who the winners are.New technologies have become a key element of the global economy. According to the 2021 Yearbook of the Spanish Video Games Association, in Spain alone, the video game industry had a turnover of 1,798 million euros during this period, 2.75% more than the previous year.Belgium, for its part, is one of the leading nations in 2D animation, given its long tradition of comics and comic books, representing between 15% and 25% of Belgian film activity.Finally, it should be noted that both countries have a large number of leaders in the video mapping and immersive exhibitions sector.
