Sixteen museums and institutions in Liège will remain open until 10:00 p.m. on 17 May as part of the inaugural ‘Nuit Ardente des Musées.'
With concerts, guided tours, and puppet shows on the agenda, the event lines up more than 40 activities to offer visitors a unique experience, according to the University of Liège and city authorities, who are hosting the event.
Since 2005, various European institutions have opened their doors for the European Night of Museums. Although the event is entering its 21st edition this year, this marks the first time Liège’s museums will participate.
According to Thomas Beyer of ULiège’s Museum and Cultural Centre, 16 institutions have responded to the University’s call, 13 of them located in the heart of Liège and three in surrounding areas: Seraing, Sprimont, and Waremme.
For a modest entry fee of €12, participants can access multiple museums and discover lesser-known treasures.
The programme includes storytelling in a planetarium, tasting insect-based products, and exploring the remnants of Saint Lambert’s Cathedral by torchlight. The idea is to provide a comprehensive experience, especially for younger audiences, through activities such as theatre and an escape game for teenagers.
This “first federation” of Liège’s museums highlights the city’s cultural and museum heritage, noted Pascal Poncin, ULiège’s first vice-rector. “It showcases the strength of our museums and our culture,” he added.
Museums will close at 10:00 p.m., but festivities will continue at the Institute of Zoology with concerts and a DJ set starting at 10:30 p.m.
