Kiosk Wapenplein Ostend

The octagonal kiosk is a well-known building in the city center, but it is less known that the music kiosk is now almost 120 years old! Until 1894, music was played around a large lantern on the Wapenplein. In 1893, however, a number of residents of the square sent a petition to the City Council to get a permanent music building. After consultation, this was agreed and contractor Léon Pannier was allowed to start building a permanent kiosk for the sum of 12,100 francs. On Sunday, June 2, 1895, the new kiosk, although not yet fully completed, was officially inaugurated by the music company Euterpe.

By organizing a summer music festival (the Festival Permanent or Bestendig Festival), the kiosk experienced heyday from 1898 to the 1960s during the summer months. Fanfares and music harmonies came from home and abroad to entertain the tourists with concerts, often in the kiosk on the Wapenplein.

Although the destruction in the city center during WWII was enormous - just think of the burned down town hall, the library and the archive - the kiosk withstood the war. After the rebuilding, it was suggested several times that the kiosk should be demolished, but in the 1970s there were voices that the building should be protected. The kiosk is recognized and protected as a monument.

Willem Vandenameele