CC De Beuk

CC De Beuk is the cultural center of the municipality of Kortemark in Belgium, located at Torhoutstraat 9. Its name refers to a protected beech tree ("beuk" in Dutch) growing along this street — inside the building stands an artwork carved from a beech trunk, echoing the tree that gave the venue its identity.

Where does the name and the building's history come from?

The story begins in 1909, when five priests — including Kortemark's own pastor Blancke — purchased a plot of land on Torhoutstraat. According to a 1912 mutation record, the owner at that point was a certain Debacker Joris together with partners, among them a vicar from Alveringem. On this plot two separate buildings were erected in line with one another: a chapel and a guild hall (gildezaal), designed by master builder Thierry Nolf of Torhout.

Theatrical performances were staged in the hall from the very start, meaning the building has served a cultural function since its origin. After the First World War, the chapel took on the role of an emergency church for the local community, underlining its importance to the town during a difficult postwar period. In 1957, according to a further mutation record, a connecting bay (travee) was built between the two structures, merging the former chapel and guild hall into a single complex.

Today the building is listed in the architectural heritage inventory (bouwkundig erfgoed) of Kortemark as a former guild hall dating from around 1912.

How does CC De Beuk function today?

The venue now operates as a fully-fledged cultural center. Its theater hall seats 283 people and comes equipped with a dressing room and a control room, while the first-floor foyer can hold up to 150 people — allowing for both intimate gatherings and larger-scale events.

The program at CC De Beuk includes theater performances, comedy shows, and a variety of cultural events aimed at residents of Kortemark and the surrounding area. The center is described as combining an intimate, friendly atmosphere with the capacity to host bigger productions, drawing both local audiences and visitors from across West Flanders.

Where exactly is it located?

CC De Beuk is situated at Torhoutstraat 9, 8610 Kortemark, in the West Flanders province of Belgium. Its position on the town's main street makes it an easy landmark to find for anyone visiting Kortemark.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name "De Beuk" come from? It refers to a protected beech tree along Torhoutstraat, also commemorated by an artistic installation made from a beech trunk inside the building.

How old is the building? The complex dates back to 1909–1912, and its current form — a combined hall and former chapel — was finalized after an extension built in 1957.

How many people can the theater hall seat? The main theater hall has 283 seats, with an additional 150-person capacity in the upstairs foyer.

Does the site carry historical significance? Yes — the former chapel served as an emergency church after World War I, and the entire building is listed in the architectural heritage inventory of the West Flanders region.