Bozar fire damage fundraiser brings in €30,000 in a week

A campaign to collect funds for Brussels' fire-damaged centre for fine arts, Bozar, has succeeded in raising €30,000 in just a week.

The #TogetherBozar fundraiser, which will run until 30 May, aims to cover the cost of repairing damage from a roof fire in January.

"It's an encouraging result," said a Bozar spokeswoman, who said the exact cost of the repairs is not yet clear. "All donations will go to Bozar in its entirety. The experts' examination is still ongoing."

The fire not only caused material damage to the building, in particular to the Henry Le Bœuf concert hall and its organ, but it has also caused to indirect losses as some rooms and exhibition spaces cannot be reopened yet.

The spokeswoman added: "Not only is there the damage from the fire, there is also water damage and, like other cultural institutions, we are losing a lot due to coronavirus. 2020 was already a difficult year, but the fire has been an extra challenge.

"We are currently making an inventory of the damage to the concert hall. We want to make it operational again as soon as possible as we were using it for various events without an audience, such as recordings."

Ticket-holders to one of Bozar's exhibitions who have not yet rebooked their postponed visit can choose to convert some of all of their tickets into a charitable donation instead.

Bozar will be setting up more fundraising campaigns in the coming weeks, including plans for a sponsored 20km walk.