Knokke Casino

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Knokke Casino
  • Casino de Knokke
  • Casino Knokke
Casino Knokke.JPG
The casino in 2007
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General information
TypeCasino
Town or cityKnokke
CountryBelgium
Coordinates51°20′55″N 3°16′43″E / 51.3486°N 3.2786°E / 51.3486; 3.2786Coordinates: 51°20′55″N 3°16′43″E / 51.3486°N 3.2786°E / 51.3486; 3.2786
Construction started1929
InauguratedJuly 5, 1930
Design and construction
ArchitectJ. Selis

Knokke Casino (French: Casino de Knokke; Dutch: Casino Knokke) is a sea-front casino in the town of Knokke, in the administrative community Knokke-Heist, in the province of West Flanders in Flanders, Belgium.[1]

The largest of Belgium's ten casinos, it is known for its artwork by Keith Haring, René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. It is the first of four casinos, in different Belgian towns, designed by . The late twenties building was severely damaged during the Second World War. The subsequent renovation allowed surrealist master Magritte to create a giant 360° mural, finished in 1953, comprising eight panels called The Enchanted Domain.[1]

The Kroonluchterzaal (Chandelier room) contains a 6-ton chandelier made of Venetian crystal. The chandelier has a diameter of 8.5 metres (28 ft) and is 6.5 metres (21 ft) high. Some 22,000 pieces of glass were used and 2,700 lamps light up the main hall. It was created by architect J. Selis and designer Al. David.

Former members of the Casino's orchestra include, in the 1930s, composer and violist, Jef Maes.

History[]

In 1929, Jozef Nellens began construction for the casino, which was completes shortly thereafter. The casino was officially opened on July 5, 1930. Nellens managed the business until his death in 1934, then his son Gustave Nellens took over. The casino was only opened four months out of the year, the summer season. In 1971, Jacques and Roger Nellens took over the management of the casino following the death of their father.[2]

During World War II, the casino was partially occupied by German troops and heavily damaged from air raids. The building was restored by Léon Stynen and reopened in 1947. Beginning in 1949, major exhibitions were organized every summer, displaying works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte. The popularity of the casino grew with musical performances by renowned artists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Jacques Brel. In 1987, further renovations were made to the building which resulted in the casino's current appearance.[2]

Events[]

Among the events held at the casino are finals of the Miss Belgium contest,[3] competitions to select the Belgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, and the premiere of Hugo Claus' dramatic sketch Masscheroen.

In July 1963, Jacques Brel headlined at casino for the fifth Coupe d'Europe de Tour de Chant. During this engagement, he performed the classic "Mathilde" for the first time.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "London to Antwerp". Coast. Series 6. Episode 1. 2011-06-05. BBC. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "La riche histoire du Grand Casino de Knokke". Grand Casino Knokke (in French). 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  3. ^ "Miss Belgium 2012, Laura Beyne". Beauty Contest Update. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  4. ^ "Biography". Éditions Jacques Brel. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.

External links[]

Media related to Casino Knokke at Wikimedia Commons

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