English:VRT (Q603719)

Belgium was one of the first countries in the world to experiment with radio. Even before the First World War Albert I had a transmitter mast set up in the garden of his palace in order to find out what the possibilities were for this new medium. In 1930 the establishment of the National Institute for Radio Broadcasting meant the end of the pioneering days of radio. At the same time the medium realised the need for a modern broadcasting building. The Belgian architect Joseph Diongre’s design combined architectural innovation with the strictest acoustic and technical requirements. Consideration was also given to accommodating the public. The radio building achieved world fame from the moment of its inauguration. The intrinsic qualities of the studios (particularly Studio 4) were recognized by all and attracted the most prestigious musicians of the century (classic, contemporary and jazz) for concerts and festivals as well as for recordings. In the 70s it became necessary to build a new broadcasting house. The old Flagey building in Brussels therefore acquired a new role as an art centre.

Thanks to numerous distinguished radio producers the VRT has a marvellous archive of music recordings that is still growing through recordings of concerts and festivals.

VRT is member of the European Broadcast Union