Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper): The statue of Leopold I in Ostend is controversial because of Belgium’s colonial history, especially the loss during Leopold Il’s time in the Congo. Activists have vandalized it, leading the city to change its setting in 2019 and start an art project about colonialism, which will be finished by 2025.
The equestrian statue of Leopold I at the Drie Gapers in Ostend is causing controversy because of its connection to Belgium’s colonial history. Although Leopold I didn’t rule the Congo Free State, his son Leopold II did, and the statue is seen as a symbol of the suffering caused during that time. Millions of Congolese people were harmed as resources like rubber were taken, with cruel practices like cutting off hands used as punishment. Activists have vandalized the statue to protest and highlight the impact of Belgium’s colonial actions.
How is Ostend addressing the controversy surrounding the Leopold I statue and colonial legacy?
In 2019, the city of Ostend decided to keep the statue of Leopold I but put it in a new setting to address the controversy around it. Instead of taking it down, city officials added information to help visitors learn about Belgium’s colonial past and the pain it caused. The aim was to encourage conversations about this difficult history while keeping the statue as a part of history. This choice is part of a larger discussion about how to deal with monuments related to troubling histories, with some people wanting them removed and others believing they should be recontextualized to raise awareness.
In 2023, Ostend launched an art project about colonialism, chosen by curator Pieter Boons. The winning design is by British artist Hew Locke and includes five masts with symbols linked to colonial history. Examples are a fist for resistance and rubber plants related to Congo’s resource exploitation. City officials and locals picked the design, and they aim to complete the project by the end of 2025.
