Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The video and poetry that the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels used to usher in decolonization efforts is part of a more extensive plan to educate the public on Belgiums colonial past by means of addressing its colonial monuments so as to promote an inclusive and healthier society.
They have commenced the first step in their decolonization plan last weekend. They used a fancy video to show a bit about old Belgium at the event in Cinquantenaire Park according to resources. Some people even dared to perform cool poetry there. The plan was shared in Brussels last year to rectify its colonial past after all having been recommended by a group. It comprises appointing heads of decolonisation work setting aside one day each year to call to mind what is gone and forgotten and instructing civil servants concerning this vital part of history.
What steps is Etterbeek taking to address its colonial monuments?
A couple of years ago Vincent De Wolf mayor of Etterbeek commented that they had formed a committee with town leaders and townsmen to draw up a plan for redressing the effects of colonialism.There are still six monuments in Etterbeek with a colonial background . These are the ones in our sights for this plan to handle washing that white stuff off them. For every item we had two pros checked from one end to the other. The next group in charge will do the action plans but we’ve already done much in the way of homework.
Last Saturday they struck poses in front of the big Belgian pioneer statue on Congos Place Trois Patriarches a monument to those whose work helped run that former colony. They’ll pay a visit to this sculpture along with 23 others and maybe later some will be indeed knocked down while still others get more detailed explanations. All plans are still being hashed out in this way. There are other events on 31 August, 14 September, 19 October, 2 November and 14 December. They will take the chance to accept educate and involve people in thinking out loud over Belgiums teachers and colonisers alike.
