DISCOVERING AN OBJECT: THE HOOGHUYS FAIR ORGAN

The Fairgrounds of the Belle Epoque stimulated all the senses. First, there was the view with an abundance of decorations on the facades of fairground rides and barracks illuminated by electricity. The confectionery stands supplying nougats and gingerbread pigs allowed the guests to smell and taste the fair. Lastly, one could hear music playing from the numerous fairground organs.

One of these MP3 players of the Belle Epoque is kept at the entrance of the Museum of Fairground Arts, in perfect working order to continue to entertain visitors.

This mechanical organ with 63 keys is the work of the Hooghuys workshop, located in Grammont, Belgium. Made for a carousel between 1905 and 1910, it still works today with its original system based on a clever mechanics of bellows and perforated cardboard. This family of organ makers, specializing in church organs, was known for making unique pieces at the request of the fairground artists.

This organ is the only known organ having 63 keys arranged in this way (60 for the various instruments and 3 which could animate an automaton or a metallophone.) It also presents an incredible façade. This organ has been completely revised and re-tuned in the spring of 2017 by a specialist for the pleasure of our visitors.

 

You can come and listen to it during one of our many guided tours.

You could also come listen to it during the Festival du Merveilleux, whose 2017 edition is dedicated to mechanical music!

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Published on 11.10.17