Rue Pierre de Geyter

Could a simple street hold the echoes of a world-changing anthem? Here on Rue Pierre de Geyter in Stains, the legacy of a Belgian composer intertwines with the history of socialist movements. Rue Pierre de Geyter isn’t just a street; it’s a tribute to the man who gave music to the rallying cry of workers worldwide. Pierre De Geyter, born in Ghent in 1848, composed “The Internationale.” This anthem became synonymous with socialist and communist movements across the globe. His journey began in the textile mills of Lille, where his family moved in search of work. He honed his musical talents at workers’ night school. Eventually he led the workers’ choir, “La Lyre des Travailleurs.” In a fateful encounter in 1888, De Geyter was given the poem “The Internationale” and tasked with composing a melody. On a Sunday morning, at his harmonium, the iconic tune was born. Rue Pierre de Geyter reminds us of the power of music to ignite social change. The song’s impact resonated far beyond Lille, becoming the anthem of the Soviet Union. De Geyter’s life was marked by struggle. He faced job loss, legal battles over copyright, and financial hardship. Yet, he lived to see his music played at the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution in Moscow, an event that brought him to tears. Though De Geyter died in Saint-Denis in 1932, Rue Pierre de Geyter ensures his name and contribution to music and social history live on.