The Grand Opening

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For one year, the Congo Monument in Brussels – a vestige of Belgian colonial propaganda – has been temporarily shrouded in a silver curtain. This installation, designed by the Traumnovelle collective, transforms the monument into a theatrical stage for readings and performances on the theme of decolonisation. Rather than erasing the past, this initiative offers a critical rereading of colonial history, reflecting current debates on memory and the public space. This project is part of a wider effort to contextualise colonial symbols, initiated by the Brussels Government following the anti-racism demonstrations of 2020. By finding a new purpose for the traditional codes of showcasing heritage, the installation calls into question the role of architecture, art and history in a post-colonial city.

Text: A+304

Photos: Séverin Malaud