A brief history
The Vooruit building is situated on two different levels; there is a 12-metre difference between the facade on the Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat and the rear wing overlooking the Muinkschelde. Its eclectic style also makes for a fascinating visit. Ferdinand Dierkens, the architect, mixed several styles and made use of the newest techniques of the time.
In a way, this was the starting point for the eclecticism of Vooruit Arts Centre, which has made it renowned nationally and internationally. This is where choreographers and rock groups join forces, where traditional world musicians share the stage with hip hop DJs, where playwrights mix words with video images, where a Shakespeare play is followed up with a great party, where new media are alternated with fiery debates, where web 2.0 principles and paper books live together blissfully.
To think that this unstoppable need for change, this iconoclasm, this breaking down of barriers between music, drama and dance has found its home in an old building dating from 1913 and proclaimed monument of the year in 2000, is indeed fascinating, but somehow logical, too.
Fascinating, because contemporary activity has found its place amidst historical decor.
In short, Vooruit is a monument bursting with life, and it’s always National Heritage Day for the thousands of visitors, most of whom are young people.
Logical, on the other hand, because the socialist contractors of this dance hall had the cultural emancipation of the working classes in mind. The motto “Kunst Veredelt” (“Art Ennobles”) above the stage in the Theaterzaal still bares witness to this.
Facts
In the middle of the 19th century, Ghent was the most important trade city of Flanders. With the cooperatives, the socialist movement established a network of socio-economic centres. One of these cooperatives was the ‘Samenwerkende Maatschappij Vooruit’ or Vooruit Cooperative. The growth of the movement also meant that new buildings had to be constructed. In 1910 the Vooruit Cooperative bought a plot on the Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat. Ferdinand Dierkens was designated as the architect. The intention was to open the doors of the Vooruit halls in 1913, the year of the world fair, but strikes meant that Vooruit could not open on time. As a result of World War I, the planned opening festivities could not take place in 1914 either. After being occupied by the Germans during the war, Vooruit flourished as a socialist community centre between 1918 and 1940.
But After World War II, things started to go downhill: fewer and fewer activities in halls that grew more and more derelict every year. At the beginning of the 1980s, there were plans to sell the building, but the long-term tenancy agreement between the Vooruit Cooperative and the Arts Centre blew new life into the halls.
Today, Vooruit still focuses on artistic innovation and new challenges. For example: the digitalisation process Vooruit has undergone, which effects all aspects of the Arts Centre, the wireless building automation that has been implemented, which makes it possible to monitor the entire building and the current and future expectations of artists, visitors and employees.
On the one hand, the organisation worked on the professional development of an international Arts Centre, in tune with modern tendencies in theatre, dance and music. Rehearsal studios, halls and assistants are all at the artists’s disposal. Besides enjoying the Performing Arts, the wide range of visitors can find entertainment in the Café and the party halls.
On the other hand, the Balzaal, which became a listed monument in 1983, has undergone a gradual renovation process. Between 1983 and 1990, the most urgent preservation work was carried out. More systematic renovation followed between 1991 and 2000, starting with the facade in 1991 and culminating in the restoration of the Theatre in 2000. All this came to around 400 million Belgian Francs. In the year 2000, the Vooruit building was declared Flemish Monument of the Year.
Today, Vooruit still focuses on artistic innovation and new challenges. For example: the digitalisation process Vooruit has undergone, which effects all aspects of the Arts Centre, the wireless building automation that has been implemented, which makes it possible to monitor the entire building and the current and future expectations of artists, visitors and employees
