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Vooruit ( nl, Kunstencentrum Vooruit, ) is a historic complex in Ghent, Belgium. Vooruit was originally the festival and art center of the Ghent-based labor movement, with a ballroom, cinema, theater, etc. It is now mainly used for concerts and other cultural events.
Official website
{{Coord, 51, 02, 52, N, 3, 43, 40, E, type:landmark_region:BE, display=title Concert halls in Belgium Buildings and structures in Ghent Event venues established in 1914 Culture of Ghent Tourist attractions in East Flanders Socialism in Belgium Art Nouveau architecture in Belgium Art Nouveau theatres Tourist attractions in Ghent
Vooruit ( nl, Kunstencentrum Vooruit, ) is a historic complex in Ghent, Belgium. Vooruit was originally the festival and art center of the Ghent-based labor movement, with a ballroom, cinema, theater, etc. It is now mainly used for concerts and other cultural events.
History
Vooruit was designed by Ferdinand Dierkens and built between 1911 and 1914 and became a symbol of the socialist movement in the interwar period. The building is named after the socialist consumer organization (orcooperative
A cooperative (also known as co-operative, co-op, or coop) is "an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-contro ...
) ''Vooruit'' ("Forward") (1891-1970), supported by Edward Anseele
Edward Anseele (26 July 1856 – 18 February 1938) was a Belgian socialist politician. Edward Anseele became active in the early Belgian socialist movement. Anseele attended the Royal Athenaeum in Ghent until the age of 17.
Career
Edward Ansee ...
, to protect workers against the instability of capitalism. There workers could eat, drink and enjoy culture at affordable costs.
As a festival and art center
An art centre or arts center is distinct from an art gallery or art museum. An arts centre is a functional community centre with a specific remit to encourage arts practice and to provide facilities such as theatre space, gallery space, venues for ...
, Vooruit was part of the compartmentalized Flemish society until World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
. After the Second World War the building deteriorated until the re-launch in 1982 in its present form as a cultural center. In 1983 Vooruit was recognized as a listed monument. The building continued operating during the restoration process, from 1990 to 2000. In 2000, a fully restored Vooruit was awarded the Flemish Monument of the year Prize.
Presently the rooms are used for parties and concerts, but also for cultural events or debates.
See also
*The '' Maison du Peuple'' - a similar building in Brussels built byVictor Horta
Victor Pierre Horta (; Victor, Baron Horta after 1932; 6 January 1861 – 8 September 1947) was a Belgian architect and designer, and one of the founders of the Art Nouveau movement. His Hôtel Tassel in Brussels, built in 1892–93, is often ...
for the Belgian Workers' Party
The Belgian Labour Party ( nl, Belgische Werkliedenpartij, BWP; french: Parti ouvrier belge, POB) was the first major socialist party in Belgium. Founded in 1885, the party was officially disbanded in 1940 and superseded by the Belgian Socialist P ...
and demolished in 1965.
References
;CitationsExternal links
Official website
{{Coord, 51, 02, 52, N, 3, 43, 40, E, type:landmark_region:BE, display=title Concert halls in Belgium Buildings and structures in Ghent Event venues established in 1914 Culture of Ghent Tourist attractions in East Flanders Socialism in Belgium Art Nouveau architecture in Belgium Art Nouveau theatres Tourist attractions in Ghent