More than two years after the roof fire, the first repair works to Bozar (the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts) have been completed.
The Minister of Federal Cultural Institutions Hadja Lahbib and State Secretary for the Régie des Bâtiments Mathieu Michel attended the inauguration of the theatre's repaired roof and exhibition halls on Thursday.
On 18 January 2021, a fire damaged the southern circuit of the culture house. The Henry Le Boeuf Hall and some exhibition rooms were affected. Moreover, firewater seeped into the building, causing additional damage.
Honouring Victor Horta's original plans
About a year later, renovation work started. The contractor has since repaired the zinc roofing and gutters, the skylights and the parquet of the exhibition rooms. For this, it stayed true to architect Victor Horta's original plans. The cost totalled €9.3 million, 90% of which was borne by insurance companies.
During the summer closure from 1 July to 31 August 2023, the second phase of the repair works will be carried out. The government is providing another €1.5 million for the renovation of the Henry Le Boeuf Hall. Plastering, painting and parquet renovation works will be carried out and certain acoustic doors will also be replaced. As well as repairing the damage caused by the fire, the stage lighting will also be updated.
Spanish artist Antoni Tàpies will have the honour of being the first to inaugurate the renovated halls on 15 September.
"The Palais des Beaux-Arts is an architectural gem that contributes to the aura of our capital, facing the world," said Minister Lahbib, who worked at Bozar during her student years.
