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There is great indignation in the culture sector after the decision of the Consultation Committee to ban all indoor cultural events from Monday. The resistance is therefore corresponding. Opera Ballet Vlaanderen announced that during the mandatory closure period, the foyers of the halls in Antwerp and Ghent will open as ‘corona-safe cafe’. The Roma in Borgerhout is going the same way and will open as a “cozy Christmas cafe” from tonight.
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The Consultative Committee decided on Wednesday to introduce a ban on indoor events, including cultural and theater performances and cinema screenings, from December 26.
An extremely difficult time for Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, which now sees all performances canceled until the end of January, including those of the prestigious opera ‘La Bohème’. “It concerns a total of 22 performances, 8,600 tickets and an amount of more than 554,000 euros in income that evaporates,” says general manager Jan Raes.
To flush that huge hangover and also as a bit of an act of resistance, an OBV Café will open in both the halls of Antwerp and Ghent from Monday 27 December, which works according to the safety regulations of the catering industry. A Covid Safe Ticket is therefore necessary, mouth masks are mandatory when you walk around and you can sit at a table with a maximum of six people.
People who work in the cultural sector receive a free drink on presentation of their sector card. In addition, visitors can leave a message to support the culture sector.
“Enjoy a mulled wine in our foyers, with a touch of La bohème in the background”, is how Opera Ballet Vlaanderen describes the concept of the OBV Café. “OBV Café wants to become a warm meeting place for everyone who has to miss the culture in the coming weeks. A place where we come together to maintain the connection that culture offers.”
Meanwhile, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen is already working on the reopening. Subject to further measures, the first performance will be Mozart’s opera ‘Così fan tutte’, directed and choreographed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker.
De Roma opens “cozy Christmas cafe”
Concert hall De Roma is also temporarily opening a “cozy Christmas café”. Today (Thursday) and Friday, everyone who comes by can enjoy a free bowl of warm soup and a dash of live music, it sounds, and the bar of the hall is also open.
As in the entire cultural sector, the news of the closure also hits De Roma hard. “As difficult as it is, we try to muster the courage and be there for each other”, says general coordinator Danielle Dierckx. Today and tomorrow we will open the doors for a cozy Christmas café. Especially in these difficult times, everyone needs warmth and affection. Also the volunteers and employees of De Roma. That is why we are turning our hall into an attractive café where everyone is welcome.”
Toon Rumen Trio, Louise Van Den Heuvel Trio & Bodem provide the musical setting.
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