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
Montenegro Nears the Final Stages of EU Membership
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
EU Faces Intensifying Pressure Over Proposed Tobacco Legislation Reform
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
Freedom of Religion vs. Freedom from Religion
Allies Deny Brigitte Slapped Macron Over Texts With Iranian Actress
The Elysée initially called the slap reports fake news and later as “horseplay,” with no official response. A source close to the
China and US Joint Drug Probe Results in 5 Arrests in Major Smuggling Crackdown Beijing 2026
According to officials familiar with the investigation, law enforcement agencies exchanged intelligence, tracked financial ac
EU Declares Ban on LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy Should Be Determined by Individual Countries, Not Brussels
Thro
Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms Reportedly Excludes Investor Exits from 2026 Mumbai IPO Plan
Led by Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries has transformed from a traditional energy company into one of As
Steps to Take If Your Landlord Won’t Return Your Deposit in Europe
Protecting Refugees or Circumventing Sanctions?
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
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
Leave a Reply