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”
-
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. 😏🍵
Last News
Latvian Defense Minister Resigns Amid Leadership Changes on NATO’s Eastern Flank
Andris Sprūds, an a
Ukraine’s Sense Bank scandal tests faith in wartime anti-corruption efforts
Ukraine’s anti-corruption drive has been rocked by allegations that a state-owned bank seized from sanctioned Russian owners was captured by a politically connected influence network tied to one of the country’s largest corruption investigations. The affair has also fuelled concerns that the bank could be used to launder money.
The claims centre on Sense Bank, formerly Alfa-Bank Ukraine, which w
Redesigning the Financial System for Growth
One year after launching the Leeds Reforms and Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Plan, the progress in transforming the UK’s financial system to spur growth is evaluated. Key figures from Westminster, financial regulators, and the financial services industry gather to discuss the Government’s financial services agenda and its impact on economic growth prospects.
Focus
US Trade Crisis Worsens: Container Imports Drop in 2026
T
URI Europe Regional Assembly, "Sacred Earth, Shared Humanity" and the Presentation of the PARTESS-COM Project
From April 29 to May 3, 2026, the URI Europe Regional Assembly, themed “Sacred Earth, Shared Humanity: URI Europe Responses to Violence and Harm,” took place at the Martí Codolar Centre in Barcelona. Cooperation Circles of the United Religions Initiative (URI) gathered to reconnect, share experiences, celebrate diversity, and develop joint actions for the future. The Assembly incl
The Far Right’s Campaign Against French Cinema
“People from the cinema world live in another reality, not understanding the financial struggles of the French,” stated Philippe Ballard, a National Rally lawmaker advocating for reduced state cinema funding.
Ballard noted that his constituents are frustrated
2026 Sees Rising Humanitarian Tensions and Civilian Concerns in the Middle East
Frontex Official Warns of Arms Smuggling Risks in Post-War Ukraine
“There could be weapons smuggling on a larger scale, posing a security challenge for Europe,” stated Frontex Deputy Executive Director Lars Gerdes to WELT, which is part of Axel Springer, the owner of POLITICO.
H
Bulk Carrier Struck by Unknown Projectile Amid Rising Iran Gulf Shipping Tensions
Bulgarian Orthodox Church Engages with European Institutions
Metropolitan Anthony stressed that our unity should be based on “the solid foundation
Leave a Reply