Villa Servais: Geert De Poorter Brings 19th-Century Cellist’s Legacy Back to Life in Halle

Halle (Eurotoday): Geert De Poorter has restored the 19th-century Villa Servais in Halle, Belgium, transforming it into a bed and breakfast and concert hall. Inspired by its history, he is building a garden seating area using blue limestone from the demolished local station, enhancing cultural events while honoring cellist François Servais’s legacy.

The villa of the legendary 19th-century cellist François Servais in Halle, Belgium, has been restored and is now owned by Geert De Poorter. It serves as a bed and breakfast, concert hall, and exhibition space, honoring Servais’s legacy while providing a venue for cultural events. De Poorter is also adding seating in the villa’s garden, creating a new space for outdoor concerts and events during the summer months.

How is Geert De Poorter reviving François Servais’s legacy at Villa Servais?

The idea for the new seating area in the garden of the villa is inspired by its historical significance. When François Servais lived there, the garden overlooked the local station, which was demolished in 1993. Geert De Poorter managed to get about 20 pallets of blue limestone from the original station building. These historic stones are being repurposed to create the seating tribune, preserving a piece of the past while enhancing the cultural atmosphere of the villa’s garden. This project blends history with modern use, creating a unique space where music and heritage come together.

It has been said that building the grandstand costs money, so Geert will sell champagne with a label of the Halle musician Servais and his favorite instrument, the cello. He also asked the community to help restore the villa. Many older people in Halle miss their old station. Now, the stones from that 19th-century building are being reused, making the grandstand special. Geert said the stones were in a waste container for years, then moved to Edingen, and now they are in the villa’s garden.


Comments

One response to “Villa Servais: Geert De Poorter Brings 19th-Century Cellist’s Legacy Back to Life in Halle”

  1. Breadmaker Avatar

    Reviving a 19th-century cellist’s legacy with a side of recycled limestone? Talk about a sustainable twist! Next, they’ll be serving tea from the last century and calling it avant-garde. 😏🍵

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Montenegro Nears the Final Stages of EU Membership

Montenegro Nears the Final Stages of EU Membership

Podgorica has completed 14 of the 33 chapters required for provisional closure before joining the bloc. The rule of law remains the most challenging obstacle, with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos encouraging Montenegro to continue reforms.
With a population of around 600,000, Montenegro became an EU candidate in 2010, four years after its separation from Serbia, and began accession talks in 201

Read More

EU Faces Intensifying Pressure Over Proposed Tobacco Legislation Reform

EU Faces Intensifying Pressure Over Proposed Tobacco Legislation Reform

A coalition of over 25 world-renowned scientists and public health researchers have said that a proposed revision of tobacco legislation is based on a “scientifically false premise.”
This comes in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The signatories include internationally-respected experts like Professor Luboš Petruželka, a distinguished oncologist at Charles Universit

Read More

Freedom of Religion vs. Freedom from Religion

Freedom of Religion vs. Freedom from Religion

A school assembly, a nurse’s chain with a small cross, a council prayer before a vote, a parent objecting to compulsory religious instruction – these are instances where freedom of religion versus freedom from religion transcends abstract legal debates and becomes an issue of power, equality, and state limits. Across Europe and beyond, these disputes are no longer niche but central to discussions

Read More

Allies Deny Brigitte Slapped Macron Over Texts With Iranian Actress

Allies Deny Brigitte Slapped Macron Over Texts With Iranian Actress

On RTL radio on Wednesday, Tardif claimed President Macron had a “platonic relationship” with Farahani for several months, with some exchanges going “quite far,” as per people close to Macron. Tardif mentioned a message to Farahani saying, “I find you very attractive.”
The Elysée initially called the slap reports fake news and later as “horseplay,” with no official response. A source close to the

Read More

China and US Joint Drug Probe Results in 5 Arrests in Major Smuggling Crackdown Beijing 2026

China and US Joint Drug Probe Results in 5 Arrests in Major Smuggling Crackdown Beijing 2026

BEIJING, China — May 11, 2026 — Eurotoday Newspaper highlights how China US cooperation moved into international focus after authorities from both countries reportedly coordinated during a large anti-drug investigation targeting an international narcotics smuggling network.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, law enforcement agencies exchanged intelligence, tracked financial ac

Read More

EU Declares Ban on LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy Should Be Determined by Individual Countries, Not Brussels

EU Declares Ban on LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy Should Be Determined by Individual Countries, Not Brussels

The Commission acknowledges that practices such as verbal abuse, coercion, isolation, forced medication, electric shocks, and physical and sexual abuse offer “no therapeutic value.” However, on Wednesday, the Commission announced plans to adopt a 2027 recommendation urging countries to ban conversion practices—a move campaign organizers consider a “missed opportunity.”
Thro

Read More

Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms Reportedly Excludes Investor Exits from 2026 Mumbai IPO Plan

Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms Reportedly Excludes Investor Exits from 2026 Mumbai IPO Plan

MUMBAI, India – May 11, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — highlights how Ambani business expansion continues gaining international attention as Reliance Industries strengthens its investments across retail, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Led by Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries has transformed from a traditional energy company into one of As

Read More

Steps to Take If Your Landlord Won’t Return Your Deposit in Europe

Steps to Take If Your Landlord Won’t Return Your Deposit in Europe

The keys have been returned. The room is empty. You’ve cleaned the flat, provided your new address, and are waiting for the funds needed for your next home. Then the landlord stops responding—or claims the entire deposit is being retained for unspecified “damage” you’ve never witnessed. For tenants across Europe, especially students, migrants, and those moving between coun

Read More

Protecting Refugees or Circumventing Sanctions?

Protecting Refugees or Circumventing Sanctions?

A North London Charity May Be Serving as a Reputation-Laundering Vehicle for a Toxic Ukrainian Banker.

A small charity operating in a north London borough and focused on refugee assistance may soon come under the scrutiny of United Kingdom law enforcement.

There is a credible risk that a former Ukrainian banker, Mykola Lagun, currently evading Ukrainian justice from Vienna, may exploit

Read More

Roma Advocates Celebrate "Renewed Commitment" to Inclusion

Roma Advocates Celebrate "Renewed Commitment" to Inclusion

Western Balkan governments and Germany have committed to a work plan for those classed as “vulnerable” groups, such as Roma.
They formally named Roma as a target group for active labour market measures.
The Roma Foundation for Europe, whose close collaboration with the Montenegrin government secured the inclusion, welcomed the move and has now called on participating governments to “move from co

Read More