Museum of Industrial Archeology and Textiles (MIAT)

Most people do not (anymore) know Pierre De Geyter. But he did get a statue here in the MIAT. You surely know his composition: the Internationale. This composer was a working-class migrant from Ghent, born in Kanunnikstraat. Like many Flemish people, he moved to France to work. In France, he is still much more famous than in Belgium. In many places, you will find a square, street, or school named after him. On July 22, 1888, the Internationale was performed publicly for the first time. A few years later, it became a big hit worldwide. Not only in socialist circles. The anthem became the anthem of the communist movement and the first national anthem of the Soviet Union. But the song's success was not a success for Pierre De Geyter himself. He was dismissed because of his composition and could not find work anywhere anymore. In addition, he also had a dispute with his brother Adolphe De Geyter, who claimed the copyright for the composition. Only in 1922 did Pierre De Geyter receive official recognition for his composition. In 1901, Pierre De Geyter moved from Lille to Saint-Denis.

Dromos