On January 16, the Brussels government validated the forthcoming recognition of “clubbing” – more broadly of Brussels nightlife – as intangible heritage. The process is in its early stages. But the decision was approved by members of the Brugov. Who thus instructs the Secretary of State in charge of Heritage Pascal Smet (one.brussels) to return to the Council of Ministers with a proposal for recognition, to study the expropriation procedures following recognition as intangible heritage and to carry out an estimate of the cost of possible expropriations. Created following the Fuse affair, the Nightlife task force must draw up a list of clubs that might be recognized in collaboration.
“Pascal Smet is currently studying, in close consultation with the Brussels Nightlife Federation, the possibility of recognizing Brussels nightlife as intangible heritage”, confirms the office of the Secretary of State. “The file is currently being prepared to launch the procedure.” This future recognition of the intangible cultural heritage of Brussels, therefore as an “element of public interest”, will not be without consequences for local residents. This is why the regional town planning administration will examine “the possible concrete impact of this possible registration”.
Here’s to the decisions. The president of the Brussels by night Federation Lorenzo Serra is delighted that this request from the world of the night has been heard by the political world of Brussels. “It enchants me. I find it very exciting to see that we are working together, that we are moving forward together to build Brussels, in everyone’s interest. It is essential to respect neighbors and nightlife establishments. Our neighbors are often our first customers.”
Concretely, “the intangible cultural heritage of the Region covers the practices (customs and traditions, oral expressions, social practices, knowledge and know-how) present on the territory of the Brussels-Capital Region as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with them and which the communities, groups or individuals of the Region recognize as part of their heritage”, explains patrimoine.brussels. The art of falconry, the fritkots culture, the Meyboom, the culture of the giants, the Ommegang, the Saint Verhaegen, the procession of Saint-Guidon, the Speculoos or the living culture of the fairground are thus part of the cultural heritage. intangible Brussels.
The Nightlife task force is putting together the file for inclusion in the Brussels inventory. And to list the establishments concerned even if “this list will not be exhaustive. We will take convincing examples and also prepare a new definition of what a nightclub is in Brussels.” However, this will not solve everything. “This recognition constitutes the first of the three points on which we insist”, continues Lorenzo Serra. “We also want to act on the status of agent of change, as it exists in Berlin or in Quebec. When an establishment is recognized as being of public interest, it is protected from any external threat. Thus, a person who comes to live next door, knowingly, cannot attack the establishment for nuisance. This status goes both ways. If an establishment settles in a residential area, it must do everything to not disturb anyone.”
The Brussels by night Federation nevertheless wishes to go further than a simple list of discotheques to be protected. And extend this protection to festive districts. “We must be able to list these neighborhoods that can be considered important for Brussels life.” We think here, for example, of Saint-Géry in the hypercentre, Place Fernand Coq or Place Flagey in Ixelles.
As we remember, the closing of the Fuse following a complaint from a neighbor created a call for fresh air among many Brussels residents, neighbors of night clubs and night bars. “The Fuse case has clearly set a precedent. Half of our members are affected by one or more complaints. All are threatened with closure”, details the president of the Brussels by night Federation. In other words, there is urgency.
