‘This is not really an emergency concept,’ is how Beatrix Bourdon, BRAFA’s managing director, describes the Brussels art fair’s solution to the ongoing challenges of Covid-19. ‘We wanted something that would not be cancelled.’ Last October, faced with the uncertainty created by the pandemic, BRAFA came up with ‘BRAFA in the galleries’, an alternative fair that would nevertheless honour the direct relationship between dealer and collector. Rather than going digital, BRAFA – now in its 66th edition – invited each of the participants that had confirmed for 2021 to create an exhibition in their own gallery, although some have since chosen to partner with colleagues or show in special locations. A total of 129 dealers from across 14 countries and 38 cities confirmed their involvement. The majority of these exhibitions will all open for the same dates and times (28–31 January), with a preview on 27 January – the day that BRAFA was scheduled to open in Brussels.