Mechelen (The Brussels Morning newspaper): The Nekkerspoel station tunnel in Mechelen, Belgium has been renovated with a 70-meter mural depicting the city’s diverse community working together transforming the space into a bright and inviting area.
The railway tunnel at Nekkerspoel station has recently been renovated changing it from a dark and dirty place into a bright and inviting space. Earlier this summer the tunnel was cleaned thoroughly to remove years of dirt. New measures were put in place to keep pigeons away which will help keep the tunnel clean and prevent more problems. It has been said that the most noticeable change in the tunnel is the new mural that covers both sides stretching 70 meters long. This artwork has brought new life to the space adding color and energy. It makes the tunnel nicer for people passing through and also turns it into an interesting spot in the area. This artistic addition is part of a larger effort to improve the look and safety of the station and its surroundings.
What is the significance of the “Maakmaar Mechelen” mural created by Treepack and Sam Billen in Mechelen?
The mural “Maakmaar Mechelen” was created by the artist group Treepack from Leuven along with artist Sam Billen. It shows a colorful and lively picture of the city’s diverse community. The artwork features different characters of various backgrounds, colors, and ages all working together to build and shape Mechelen. The fun and playful style of the mural highlights the city’s multicultural nature. The exaggerated and whimsical characters show how everyone plays a part in the city’s growth and development making it visually interesting.
The surreal elements of the mural make it even more imaginative encouraging people to explore the fun and magical sides of building a community. The mural not only looks good in the public space but also celebrates Mechelen’s welcoming and cooperative spirit. By showing a colorful mix of people working together, “Maakmaar Mechelen” emphasizes that everyone plays an important role in shaping the community. This artwork with its happy and creative style helps create a sense of unity and pride among residents while showing the city’s commitment to diversity and working together for progress.
The mural has many references to Mechelen like Margaret of Austria stories about the city fox and important buildings like the town hall. Local people even asked for fries to be included and they did that. Ingrid a local resident is happy about it and said it used to be a messy spot with lots of pigeons so the mural is a big improvement. This project is part of a bigger plan to make the area around the station nicer. Some people questioned the cost but the local government said they got money from Flanders to help pay for it and they believe it was worth the 94,000 euros spent.
