Ostend (Eurotoday) – More than 120 artists brought together their creative talents to pay tribute to the iconic Thermae Palace and Royal Galleries in Ostend through a special postcard art collection.
The initiative led to 229 unique postcard-sized artworks, crafted as part of a response to development plans proposing the construction of tall residential towers on the parking area adjacent to the historic Thermae Palace. Following public opposition and campaigning, the controversial project was halted, and the art exhibition was born as a way to celebrate and protect the cultural heritage of the site.
The exhibition spans across three prominent locations in Ostend, showcasing the participating artists’ work. Curator Irène Philips highlighted the international reach of the project, with contributors not only from across Belgium but also from other countries, including Belarus.
“124 artists responded to the call and created a total of 229 works of art,” Philips explained. She further noted the exhibition’s connection with vzw Dement, a local heritage association that aims to safeguard the city’s architectural identity and has been particularly active against the proposed residential towers behind the Royal Galleries.
Ostend Mayor John Crombez (Vooruit) attended the exhibition’s launch and expressed his appreciation for the initiative. “There are some really great things in there,” he said, praising the art for bringing attention to the historic value of the site. “The fate of the buildings is not only alive in Ostend but also elsewhere in Flanders. This is one of the most striking places in our city. This expo is a really nice way to draw attention to the matter.”
What is the historical and cultural significance of Ostend’s Thermae Palace and Royal Galleries?
Originally built in 1933, the Thermae Palace is a prime example of modernist architecture and once operated as a prestigious seaside luxury hotel. It now holds official status as a protected monument. Adjacent to the hotel, the Royal Galleries stretch 380 meters along the beach, constructed in 1906 in a neoclassical style. Together, these landmarks are key tourist attractions and symbolic of Ostend’s rich coastal legacy.
In 2022, tensions rose when plans emerged to erect residential towers on the parking lot of the Thermae Palace. The initiative met with significant pushback from heritage defenders, including vzw Dement, who warned that such construction would compromise the city’s historical character and scenic value.
Public resistance included large-scale demonstrations and a petition garnering more than 5,000 signatures. The opposition ultimately led to the suspension of the construction project in late 2023.
In the wake of the controversy, organisers launched a public call for postcard-sized artworks, encouraging expressions of solidarity with Ostend’s architectural preservation movement. The result was an extraordinary exhibition of 229 pieces by 124 artists from both Belgium and abroad, underscoring widespread recognition of the city’s cultural heritage.
Tourism data underscores the significant economic importance of the Thermae Palace and Royal Galleries, with Ostend drawing around 3 million visitors annually. The exhibition serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between urban development and the preservation of historical identity in Belgium’s coastal cities.
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