DISCOVER
What is the Grand Hospice, after all?
SECRET GARDEN
NOVEMBER 25 > JANUARY 1, 2023
In collaboration with the Brussels-Capital Region, discover the " Secret Garden " and its surprising musical program to extend the Winter Pleasures experience beyond 10 pm.
Secret Wonderland Wonderland at the Grand Hospice. Two 3,500 m2 gardens decked out with an immersive light show and decorations. Scenic lighting will make the gardens glow with a multitude of colors, fixed light installations and enough Christmas trees to get lost in!
Secret Winterfest As you move from one immersive garden to another, you'll discover a hidden festive tent. Filled with Christmas decorations, lighting and of course heating, creating the perfect atmosphere. Enjoy homemade mulled wine and a delicious raclette from Saint Octave!
Secret Pop Up The Grand Hospice has over 100 occupants. During the Winter Pleasures period, the occupants open their doors for a secret Pop Up. We'll be putting on a program to help you discover the place.
Three activities
to do with your neighbors!
THE BAGAGERIE
Experience the theater
Local B1 - 0 floor
La bagagerie wants to be able to welcome them in a venue that is accessible to all, even those who don't have the codes of the theater, in order to offer them a space for artistic expression and strengthen social cohesion.
TWOO-D
Renew your decor
Local A5 - 0 floor
The Twoo-d project is a project of clothes, plants and objects, designed with love by the Twoo-d makers! Their system is to recuperate what is thrown away so that it can be reused later.
HOSPICE RECORDS
Discover new artists
Local E7 - 0 floor
More than just a second-hand record store, Hospice Records aims to be a meeting place for underground music lovers, independent labels and Brussels artists.
Did you know?
History
The Grand Hospice is the work of Belgian architect Henri Partoes. Built in phases between 1824 and 1827, this neoclassical monument is characterized by its sobriety and predominantly horizontal lines.
The construction of the hospice was financed by the subdivision of the land of the former Grand Béguinage de Bruxelles.
New streets quickly sprang up, parallel to the hospice facades, and neo-classical houses that give the district a unique homogeneity.
The architects' work was recognized in 1983 by Europa Nostra, which awards annual " Europa Nostra Prizes " for outstanding restoration projects.
These prizes are awarded on the basis of carefully compiled dossiers, which are evaluated by a scientific jury of heritage experts such as architects, restorers and art historians.
They were keen to commend the excellence of the conservation of cultural heritage, the restoration of buildings and their transformation for new uses.
Portrait pali pali
Michel Ivor
Michel needs no introduction. He's in charge of welcoming visitors to the Grand Hospice. He is responsible for welcoming visitors, artists, film shoots, workshops and other activities on the site.
Michel joined the project a year ago, at the start of the temporary occupation process. Before that, he was an avid traveler, having visited over 50 countries, including 22 in Africa.
He has also worked in theinternational events industry. Due to the Covid crisis, the sector was heavily affected. At the age of 50, Michel decided to reinvent himself professionally. Having lived in the area for ten years, this building has always held a great fascination for him.
" It's no mean feat, the Grand Hospice,", he says. Michel often compares it to a ship. It's been a real challenge to collectively turn this grim place into a place of life and openness. Today, 120 projects are housed here.
It's the fruit of a close-knit team, which also owes a great deal to director Edouard Meier, the ship's captain.
As a big fan of music, his favorite spot is the chapel, an emblematic and unusual place. He would also like to promote a music-related project: Hospice Records, a vinyl store in the heart of the building.