Bolivar Hall

The Bolívar Hall is part of the Venezuelan cultural complex located at 54 Grafton Way in Fitzrovia, London. In 1978, the Venezuelan Government acquired the Miranda House and three adjacent Georgian buildings. The famous house was restored to its original condition with the advice of the Victoria and Albert Museum, under the works of the British architect Boyd Auger. A complete rebuilding was carried out at the rear of the other houses, and the idea of the Bolívar Hall as a unique multi-media cultural centre was then conceived. In 1986, the Bolívar Hall first opened its doors to the public, offering a programme of art exhibitions, and music, film, theatre as well as literary and academic events. It can be converted from a concert conference hall configuration into an exhibition function area. The concert hall configuration is suited with 140 retractable seats, and a retractable film screen, and has been achieved with a clearly-defined acoustic which is particularly adequate for solo recitals and chamber-sized orchestras to a maximum of thirty players. The need for a venue in London of this size and quality has proved so great that the Bolívar Hall has gradually widened its range of activities and become a focus for Ibero American culture more generally. But being a diplomatic institution in Great Britain, it welcomes and fosters co-operation with British cultural organisations as well.