Genk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The Hoevenzavel church built by Italian miners symbolizes community spirit with its heart-shaped design. Recent artistic renovations celebrate mining heritage and enhance spiritual connections through cultural activities and events.
The Italian church in Hoevenzavel is special because Italian miners built it in the 20th century with their own hands. The church looks like a heart from above showing the miners’ love and hard work. This design makes the church stand out from others. Even after the church was built the community kept helping out. People volunteered to add more things to the church and make it more useful for everyone. They even made a space under the church for Radio Internazionale a radio station that helped people connect and be involved in the community. Next to the church they set up a fun social and cultural center. It became a lively place for all kinds of activities like parties, cultural events and community projects. The community cares about staying close and helping each other out.
How did artists from Rivarolo, Italy celebrate Hoevenzavel’s mining heritage through church murals?
In 2013 artists from Rivarolo, Italy painted pictures inside the church in Hoevenzavel, Genk. The paintings show miners working underground and protecting their families with mine lamps. These artworks represent the local mining community. This summer Missione Cattolica is asking the Italian volunteer artists to decorate the outside of the church in Hoevenzavel. They want to keep the artistic link alive and celebrate the community’s mining history.
Father Gregorio Aiello said that when Queen Paola visited the church they got the idea to renovate it. He thinks even though the church looks simple with white walls it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have art. He believes that art can make the spiritual feeling in the church even better. In July they put a special product on the church before painting it. Ten artists then spent four days making paintings inside the church. These paintings are about the seven physical and spiritual acts of kindness which are important in Christianity. Father Aiello thinks these artworks help people connect more with Christian beliefs and God and they also make people think and feel inspired. The newly renovated church was opened with a lot of interest, showing that the community really liked the art improvements and how it relates to their faith.
