Brussels festival of Art Nouveau and Art Deco – also known as BANAD – is back to the city for three weekends this month (until 24 March 2024).
60 architectural treasures taking part
The event, organised by Explore.Brussels and now in its eighth year, unites a network of guided tour associations in the Belgian capital. Organised geographically around the city, weekend by weekend, this year’s festival will see around 60 architectural treasures that are usually closed to the public, open their doors and allow interior visits.
In addition, walking and cycling tours, conferences, family activities and expansive vintage fairs will be on the calendar.
“Essential, classic and new”
Brussels is known as the cradle of Art Nouveau, an art and design movement characterised by serpentine forms and nature. Many examples of the style are already well-loved visitor attractions in the city. But now, for BANAD, some lesser-known and privately-owned Brussels buildings are taking part for the first time.
Ranging from private homes to institutional buildings, the participating edifices will offer guided tours to groups and individuals, bookable online. It is also possible to turn up on your chosen weekend and wait for a slot to become available.
To tempt you, the organisers have grouped their offering into categories. These are:
- “Essential” – the unmissable, see-before-you-die venues;
- “Classic” – public buildings that will be presented in ways you’ve never seen them before; and
- “New” – denoting buildings that are taking part in BANAD for the first time.
The Maison Roosenboom, dating from 1900, in the Bailly district of Ixelles is one newcomer. Its varnishing and woodwork has been restored ready for viewing and its façade includes beautiful sgraffito artwork.
The Hôtel Danckaert in Forest district will also be showing off its extraordinary wood veneer, stained glass and period furniture for the first time.
Half Art Nouveau, half Art Deco
Also new this year, BANAD will present what it is calling a “half and half split” between Art Nouveau and Art Deco/Modernism, drawing attention to how short-lived Art Nouveau was as a style, before it was eclipsed by the straighter, geometric forms of its younger sibling.
A further category, “previously new”, draws visitors’ attention to a “last chance” to visit buildings presented for the first time in previous years that may have been missed on that occasion.
Meanwhile, essential and classic visits include gems such as Hotels Solvay and Tassel, the Villa Empain, and the Old England former department store.
Bookings cost from 13 euros, with visits becoming better value the more you book. Children under 12 may attend for free.
