September 06, 2007

By By Marc Maes, Brussels

The Belgian market has a new online music archive, which covers 60 years of domestic talent and record releases.

Belgian Flemish language broadcaster VRT, industry body IFPI Belgium, neighbouring rights organization SIMIM and Muziekcentrum Vlaanderengovernment, a government-subsidized organization which promotes Flemish music, have teamed to launch the archive, which offers details on tens of thousands of artists and records, and includes artwork.

The service, at www.muziekarchief.be, has a goal to preserve all national analog recordings, rare vinyl and unique material. Its launch this week is seen as the first step towards the full digitalization of the Flemish musical heritage.

A ?200,000 ($273,000) donation from the government in October 2004 gave the service a boost. But the project's partners say additional financial support is essential, and they are calling on the Flemish cultural minister to commit additional funding.

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