Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Genk, Cinema Victoria on Vennestraat is being renovated into a multicultural meeting centre with a small-scale cinema, reopening June 9, 2025. Paul Boutsen leads the community-focused revival.
As VRT News reported, Cinema Victoria in Genk, a place that has been closed for a long time, is going to open again. It closed its doors back in 1990. The old building is now being fixed up. The plan is for it to be a cinema, just like it used to be and a multicultural meeting centre.
Officials mentioned that they are carefully working on restoring it. They want to bring back the feeling of the Interbellum period. It will have the old style mixed with modern features. They said that but it will be more than just a place to watch movies. It’s planned to be a place where people can meet and do things together.
Paul Boutsen is the person behind the project. He wants it to be similar to De Roma in Antwerp. It will show movies and have different events. He mentioned that the goal is for it to be an important part of the local culture once again.
Can Cinema Victoria unite Genk through culture and community?
According to officials, the revival of Cinema Victoria is special because it involves the local community. People in Genk are helping to shape the project. Many remember the cinema from before 1990. The community will help create the cinema. They can suggest movies and events.
Officials mentioned that they can volunteer to help with daily tasks and special events. They can share their ideas for the cinema’s future. Everyone is welcome to participate. They can help choose films and organise themed nights. They can plan cultural evenings and share local stories. The cinema will open on June 9, 2025, with the first performance of the Genk International State of Orchestra.
Paul Boutsen says,
“We want to do minimal programming, maybe with an open-air film. We also want to open a summer bar in the garden, but we still have to think about that.”
