
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
MEPs Support European Day for Workplace Accident Victims
TMEPs have welcomed the European Parliament’s support for the establishment of an annual European Day for the victims of workplace accidents.
In a resolution, the Parliament also called for greater awareness of workplace safety risks and improved prevention policies across the European Union.
Following the vote, ECR Coordinator in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Chiara Gemma comme
Steps to Take Without a Written Work Contract in Europe
For numerous workers in Europe—particularly young people, migrants, seasonal staff, platform workers, hospitality employees,
Latvia’s New Prime Minister Commits to Strengthening Air Defense Systems
“The economy is closely linked with security. Without security, there’s no economy, and wi
Albania Advances Further in EU Accession Process
The eighth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania confirmed that Albania has, overall, met the interim benchmarks on the so-called cluster (fundamentals).
This cluster covers notably the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, the rule of law chapters and economic criteria.
Comment came from Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European affairs of the Repu
Inequalities – The Hidden Norm of Our Economic System?
L’UE inflige une amende de 200 millions d’euros à Temu
US Keeps Kyiv Embassy Open as Ukraine’s Security Situation Remains Tense
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
Europe’s Far Right Faces Ban Threat
On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton examine how the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations party — associated with Germany’s AfD — is at risk of losing EU funding and its political party status. A 300-page letter from the Authority for European Political Par
European Citizen Rights Guide



Leave a Reply