The cloth hall: theatre and cholera in the 19th century

In 1866, the last severe cholera epidemic prevailed in our country. In Diest, 58 inhabitants would die from the disease. Such catastrophes were often the trigger, as they are today, for spontaneous solidarity actions. For example, Het Vlaams Toneel, which had its performance hall in the cloth hall, would put part of the proceeds of the theatre season of 1866-1867 at the service of the cholera victims:

The following season continued with the same momentum, because the official city report of 1867 once again spoke highly of the association. "Les diverses représentations données l' hiver dernier par la Société flamande diestoise, avec un égal succès, en la nouvelle salle des Halles, celle qu'elle a organisé au profit des victimes du cholera, a fourni un attrait particulier et a été spécialement suivie le produit en est relaté ... 800 fr."

That yield of 800 francs was considerable for the time, especially when one considers that the entrance fees were 1 franc and 50 centiems. Usually this amount was used to buy loaves of bread, which were then distributed to the relatives of the victims of cholera. At the time, a loaf of bread cost 36 centiems.

Jan Rymenams