Repairs begin on fire-damaged Bozar organ

Brussels’ iconic Palace of Fine Arts, Bozar, has announced that it has begun restoring its fire-damaged concert organ to its former glory, with work scheduled to be completed by summer 2028.

On 18 January 2021, a fire broke out on the roof of the cultural complex. The flames mainly damaged the exhibition rooms and roof of the grand Henry Le Boeuf Hall, designed by the so-called father of Art Nouveau in Belgium, Victor Horta. But the organ also suffered severe damage due to the water used to extinguish the fire.

Today, four and a half years later, the restoration work can finally begin. The aim is to preserve and restore the historic facade of the organ. In doing so, some elements will be re-integrated according to Horta’s original plans.

The organ itself will be rebuilt and replaced at an estimated cost of €2 million. Austrian organ builder Rieger, awarded the contract in April, welcomed the commission as an “honour and a stimulus,” saying: “The new organ will excel in versatility and bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.”

The 2021 fire was not the first to affect the organ, which was also partially fire-damaged in 1967. Restoration of the instrument finally began in 1993 and took 24 years to complete. Then, just four years later, Bozar suffered the second fire.

During the current restoration period, organ music will continue to be played at Bozar via a fibre optic link to Brussels Cathedral.

“Organists can play the cathedral organ live while the sound is transmitted in real time to the Henry Le Boeuf Hall,” a Bozar spokesman explained.

The first concert using this technology is scheduled for 8 March 2026, making Bozar the first Belgian concert hall to facilitate organ music via a digital link.

Entirely designed by Victor Horta, the Henry Le Boeuf Hall, inaugurated on 19 October 1929, was later named after the businessman and banker who contributed actively to musical life in Brussels, notably to the creation of this musical mecca. In its 90 years of history, it has welcomed some of the world’s best artists.

Le Boeuf himself, talking about the 2,150-seat venue, said: “Our hall is sufficiently large, and I want everyone to feel comfortable.”