Kanal attracts more than 21,000 in first weekend

More than 21,000 visitors joined the opening weekend festivities at Brussels' brand-new contemporary art museum and cultural centre, Kanal-Centre Pompidou.

"The general public has embraced the concept," said museum director Yves Goldstein. "We're delighted with this first stage but the big challenge now is to develop this place over the next 400 days."

After welcoming 21,716 visitors at the weekend, Kanal will put on a full year of multidisciplinary events as a taster, before construction work on the old Citroën warehouse begins in mid-2019.

The major architectural project is due to be completed in 2022, but the centre will remain accessible throughout the works.

Photo: Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga