DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Polé Polé Stage at Gentse Feesten Rejected Over Safety Concerns

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • The Polé Polé stage at the Gentse Feesten festival in Belgium has been temporarily shut down due to safety concerns after its construction did not meet agreed-upon specifications.
  • City officials discovered that the stage's roof may be too heavy, and the load distribution is uncertain, prompting a halt to all DJ performances.
  • The decision to close the stage, which is situated on the water, was made to prioritize safety, with no timeline given for its reopening.

The Polé Polé stage at the Gentse Feesten festival in Belgium will not be used until its safety can be guaranteed, according to festival mayor Joris Vandenbroucke.

As long as we cannot say with certainty that it is safe, the Polé Polé stage will not be put into use.

— Joris VandenbrouckeExplaining the decision to halt performances.

The city discovered Friday that the stage, which is built on the water for the first time since 2017, was not constructed according to the agreed-upon plans. "The roof, in particular, appears to be too heavy," Vandenbroucke stated. He emphasized that the stage will only be permitted for use once the city architect confirms its complete safety.

The roof, in particular, appears to be too heavy.

— Joris VandenbrouckeDetailing the specific safety concern.

"During a final inspection, we found that the construction was not built as agreed," Vandenbroucke explained. "As a result, we don't know exactly how the loads are distributed." Until this uncertainty is resolved, no DJ sets will take place on the large stage located at the Gras- and Korenlei.

During a final inspection, we found that the construction was not built as agreed.

— Joris VandenbrouckeDescribing the discrepancy found in the stage's construction.

"Safety above all else," Vandenbroucke stressed. The stage was erected using a crane from the Graslei. Well-known artists like Used and Omdat het Kan & Average Rob are scheduled to perform later in the week. Friday night's planned concerts by Mol & Eddy, Shann, and DJ Gizmo were canceled due to the stage's closure. It remains unclear if the stage will be ready for Nina Black's performance at midnight.

As a result, we don't know exactly how the loads are distributed.

— Joris VandenbrouckeExplaining the uncertainty regarding the stage's structural integrity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog