In times of COVID-19, this event was a testimony to the 'dark optimism' that was the common motivation of all participants at the time. We wanted to demonstrate resilience through a persistent belief in creativity despite the difficult circumstances. the festival that never happened became a city walk that showed the new work of the participating makers throughout Leuven to provide insight and openness into the early stages of work-in-progress as well as to show that artists did not sit still. The real live festival PLATEAU 22 finally took place a year later.