Le Forum

Le Forum is a performance hall in Liège, Belgium, located on rue Pont d'Avroy. It opened on 30 September 1922, designed by architect Jean Lejaer in Art Deco style, and was founded on the initiative of Arthur Mathonet. The building is listed as exceptional heritage of the Walloon Region. Originally dedicated to cinema, music-hall and operetta, the venue was taken over by MGM in 1929. After the bankruptcy of La Comilière in 1936, the Masereel-Beckers duo bought the land lots including the Forum. During the war, MGM, led by Jewish owners, was removed from management by the Nazis and could only resume activities at the Forum in 1947. The owners then opened Le Churchill in the basement. When MGM's lease ended in 1956, Mr and Mrs Masereel became sole owners. In 1968 the operating lease was ceded to Hubert Defawes. After Mr Masereel's death in 1979, his wife became sole owner. In 1984, Mrs Claeys, director of the Opéra complex, bought the operating lease. Following a safety inspection, the Forum had to close temporarily and only reopened in 1989 after purchase and renovation by the French Community of Belgium. The hall and peristyle were listed in 1979, and the facade and staircase in 1989. Today Le Forum operates as a live performance venue, presenting a diverse programme of concerts, comedy shows, galas and touring productions. Its official website lists events such as 'Grand Opera presents From Studio Ghibli to One Piece', 'The Music of Bond', the opening gala of the Liège International Comedy Festival, and performances by artists including Tina Arena, Laurent Voulzy and Hubert Félix Thiéfaine. The venue has also served as a filming location, notably for the 2012 film Populaire by Régis Roinsard, and for a music video by rapper Fresh la Peufra.

Le Forum opened on 30 September 1922 in Liège, Belgium, on rue Pont d'Avroy. It was designed by architect Jean Lejaer in Art Deco style and founded on the initiative of Arthur Mathonet. The hall was initially dedicated to cinema, music-hall and operetta. In 1929 it was taken over by MGM. The company 'La Comilière', at the origin of the Forum's creation, went bankrupt in 1936. The duo Masereel-Beckers bought the land lots that included the Forum. During the war, MGM, led by Jewish owners, was removed from management by the Nazis; MGM could only resume activities at the Forum in 1947. The owners then opened Le Churchill in the basement of the building. When MGM's lease ended in 1956, Mr and Mrs Masereel became the sole owners of the venue. They ceded the operating lease in 1968 to Hubert Defawes, who became managing director; Mr Masereel remained owner. In February 1979, Mr Masereel died at the age of 86, and his wife became owner. In 1984, Mrs Claeys, director of the Opéra complex (a site and owners at the origin of the Kinepolis group), bought the operating lease of the Forum. Following an inspection by municipal safety services, the Forum had to close temporarily. It reopened only in 1989, after purchase and renovation by the French Community of Belgium. The hall and peristyle were listed in 1979, and the facade and staircase in 1989. The building is classified as exceptional heritage of the Walloon Region. In more recent years, Le Forum has operated as a live performance venue. Its website lists a varied programme including 'Grand Opera presents From Studio Ghibli to One Piece', 'The Music of Bond', the opening gala of the Festival International du Rire de Liège, and concerts by artists such as Tina Arena, Laurent Voulzy and Hubert Félix Thiéfaine. The venue has also served as a filming location: it was used for scenes of the international competition in the 2012 film Populaire by Régis Roinsard, with Romain Duris and Liège-born Déborah François, and rapper Fresh la Peufra shot part of the music video for his track 'Chop' inside Le Forum.

• 2012

  The Forum serves as a filming location for the film Populaire by Régis Roinsard.

• 1989

  The Forum reopens after purchase and renovation by the French Community of Belgium; the facade and staircase are listed.

• 1984

  Mrs Claeys, director of the Opéra complex, buys the operating lease.

• 1979

  Mr Masereel dies; his wife becomes owner. The hall and peristyle are listed.

• 1968

  The operating lease is ceded to Hubert Defawes.

• 1956

  MGM's lease ends; Mr and Mrs Masereel become sole owners.

• 1947

  MGM resumes activities at the Forum after being removed from management during the war.

• 1936

  La Comilière, the company at the origin of the Forum, goes bankrupt; the Masereel-Beckers duo buys the land lots including the Forum.

• 1929

  The venue is taken over by MGM.

• 1922

  Le Forum opens on 30 September, designed by Jean Lejaer in Art Deco style, founded on the initiative of Arthur Mathonet.

Historic Art Deco performance hall and listed heritage venue in central Liège, hosting a broad programme of live entertainment.

Product categories. Live concerts · Comedy shows · Galas · Theatrical performances · Touring productions

1. 1Le Forum de Liègeleforum.be
2. 2Le Forum - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Forum (Liège) - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org