THE MUSEUM IN BRIEF
Get people with a migration background out of Brussels. What do you think is left over? Nothing
... Empty streets and squares
Daniel, born in Belgium, 1944
INTRODUCTION
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The MIGRATIEMUSEUMMIGRATION will open in Molenbeek on 12 October 2019. This museum does not tell The Story of migration in Brussels. It honours the many migrants who have helped to shape Brussels.
Today, 184 nationalities live together in Brussels. Together they form this cosmopolitan region. The Belgians form the largest group, followed by the French, the Romanians and the Moroccans. Every day new people arrive and others leave. They all have their dreams, hopes and stories. These stories colour the story of Brussels.
The MIGRATIEMUSEUMMIGRATION gives a permanent home to the stories of the first generation of guest workers, of the earliest inhabitants of the Petit-Château, of the expats, the war refugees, the Europeans who move freely within the EU and many others. It is a warm environment where visitors can discover Brussels and the lives of others through memories and souvenirs. Above all, it is a museum with plenty of room to share your own story.
The MIGRATIEMUSEUMMIGRATION will never be finished. In this way, the museum is also a symbol of the constant dynamism of Brussels.
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AN EMPATHIC MUSEUM
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Inspired by Orhan Pamuk's modest museum manifesto, the MIGRATIEMUSEUMMIGRATION radically opts for the power and strength of personal stories. Memories, photos and souvenirs are central. The warm presentation evokes memories in the visitor, which in turn can be shared. Thanks to this sense of recognition, the visitor knows that his/her story is recognised as part of the great Brussels story.
A PARTICIPATORY MUSEUM
The MIGRATIEMUSEUMMIGRATION is there for and by people. It is the result of an intensive process with many inhabitants of Brussels. The museum also challenges the visitor to become part of the museum. He/she contributes to a colourful installation or becomes part of the face of Brussels. The museum asks for a reaction, a dialogue, a pleasant conversation. In this way, each visitor adds his or her own layer of meaning
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AN INFORMATIVE MUSEUM
In the MIGRATIEMUSEUMMIGRATION the visitor is introduced to the post-war waves of migration to Brussels. A clear digital application shows the demographic evolution of the region. There is an educational offer tailored to the needs of secondary schools and the final years of primary education
AN ARTISTIC COURSE
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On the axis connecting the Werkhuizenstraat with the garden, visitors will find the works of seven contemporary artists:
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Willem Boel,
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Peter Buggenhout,
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Ermias Kifleyesus,
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Charif Benhelima,
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Thomas Israël,
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Elio Germani
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Elia Li Gioi.
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. These very personal works form a special view of the migration theme.
A HOSPITABLE MUSEUM
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The MIGRATIEMUSEUMMIGRATION and the municipality of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek have worked together to develop the garden into a green zone in a grey neighbourhood. Like the ground floor, the garden is freely accessible during the museum's opening hours. The garden also has an authentic Italian wood-burning oven that will burn regularly.