1914-1918 : The occupation
Brussels Park in 1917. For more than a century, the Vauxhall had been a popular place of entertainment. It remained so during the war, but this time for the entertainment of German troops stationed in Brussels, who took the entire park, including its theatre.
In September 1915, the Deutsche Theater opened in the building of the Park Theater, right across the Belgian Parliament. It offered a select programme during the entire duration of the war. Authors like Thomas Mann, Stefan Zweig or Rainer Maria Rilke held literary conferences. A whole cultural live was formed around the Brussels colony, bringing about the opening of German cafés, libraries and restaurants.
