Fuse nightclub donates 30 years of material to Brussels archives

Brussels’ iconic techno club Fuse, in business now since 1994, is donating hundreds of items of memorabilia spanning almost 30 years to the Brussels-City archives.

The city's clubbing culture has not been well documented in the archives’ current collections.

This material - 173 programmes, 272 leaflets, about 40 goodies and more than 300 posters dating from 1994 to 2022 - which is being handed over to mark the club’s 30th anniversary, will then be scanned and digitalised to guard against any risk of deterioration.

The digital version of the original documents will also be used to illustrate a publication devoted to the emblematic nightclub. It was with this in mind that Fuse directors Andy Walravens and Steven Van Belle and journalist Koen Galle initially contacted the Brussels-City archives.

“Fuse is proud to be the first nightclub in Brussels to donate a substantial part of its archives. Preserving the early years of our club is both crucial and invaluable,” said the two directors in a joint statement.

"Preserving the archives of the temple of techno with an international aura is a powerful gesture that reaffirms the roots of clubbing in our culture," said Delphine Houba, Brussels alderwoman of culture, tourism, major events and municipal equipment.

"Fuse is more than just a place to party. It’s a living witness to the evolution of the electro scene, a crossroads for musical creations that have left their mark on history and an illustration of the avant-garde spirit that has thrilled the city for more than 30 years."

On 13 September, to mark the club’s 30th birthday, Manneken-Pis also received a costume from the famous nightclub.

This follows a year where Van Belle has published a celebratory book - “Fuse: 30 years of making noise” - and announced plans to mastermind a Guinness World record-breaking attempt 66-hour party in London, Paris or Amsterdam.

“The idea is to make Fuse an international brand,” he said.

However this year may still be the last Fuse has to party in its Rue Blaes location.

“Fuse has been saved from immediate closure,” the club said on its Facebook page. “However, the club, its many visitors, artists, and employees remain in a state of uncertainty as the threat to Fuse in particular and club culture in Brussels at large still persists.”

In January this year, the iconic nightclub warned that it could have to close. This followed a Rue Blaes neighbour’s complaint of noise pollution and a resulting order from Brussels Environment that Fuse must keep its noise levels under 95 decibels and only stay open until 2.00, which the club said were impossible conditions for a nightclub.