The Harmonie Sint-Cecilia was founded in Lummen in 1848, founded by Baron Henri-François de Zerezo de Tejada, who lives in Het Hamel Castle. During the first few years, rehearsals take place in the castle. In 1861 the baron died and Eugène Van Willigen, the baron's son-in-law, took over the chairmanship. In the meantime, the demand for a permanent rehearsal room and, much more importantly, the demand for a kiosk where they could organize music competitions and play concerts grew within the band. In 1885, Henri Van Willigen took over the chairmanship after the death of his father Eugène. It was Henri Van Willigen who, together with his wife Marie Glavany, had a kiosk erected on the village square. The couple covered the costs themselves. Its inauguration took place on August 14, 1887. The initials of the donors and the year of construction can still be found on the walls of the kiosk (HWMG 1887). Henri Van Willigen, who later also became mayor of Lummen, and his wife are still buried in Lummen in the burial chapel next to the church. Mainly pollard oaks were used for the construction of the kiosk, a species of oak that is still common in Lummen today. The characteristic winch was already installed on top of the kiosk. The roof itself was covered with straw. But during the fireworks at the Half Harvest Fair sometime in the 1930s, the roof of the kiosk burned down. The roof was therefore replaced with slates. In 2009, a thorough renovation of the kiosk was started. The original straw roof covering was returned and the wooden beams were renewed. The original wooden winch on the roof was replaced by a gilded one. To preserve the authenticity of the kiosk, the construction was also deliberately placed at an angle. After all, the original kiosk was also crooked. The renovated kiosk was officially inaugurated on April 25, 2010.
Translated by Google •
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