Exhibition “One foot here, one foot there: Brussels, the crossroads of diasporas”
The collaboration between the MACCS department and the IHECS International Department resulted in an exciting workshop during the first semester of 2023. The students worked in tandem with the ARES trainees, and this encouraged expression and a willingness to find the most appropriate media. This approach allowed the creation of this exhibition, where the vibrant creations offer unique perspectives that have found their place through a variety of media.
The opening, which brought together around a hundred people, was an opportunity to collectively view the students’ works. The event opened with a vote of thanks and a speech by Frédéric Moens, Director of IHECS, was followed by the presentation of certain works to the audience, and concluded with drinks and the chance to mingle and explore the creations in a more relaxed setting.
Overall, the exhibition offers a captivating exploration of the cultural diversity of Brussels as a focal point for global diasporas. The individual stories presented look at the diaspora and at individuals on the move or who have experienced displacement from a fresh perspective.
Taken as a whole, the exhibition presents itself in the form of unique stories showcasing personal history and the place of people in the world.
For Codou Loume, ARES trainee and speaker from the MACCS department with her course on Contemporary Migratory Realities, individual stories are vital. They constitute an essential way of helping to deconstruct collective stories that are often tinged with fiction and unfortunately too often negative.
For those interested, the exhibition is being held at the following address: 2F, Rue de l’Etuve 58-60, 1000 Brussels. It is open Monday to Friday, from 0800 to 1800 until 15 February 2024 (IHECS will be closed from 23 December 2023 to 7 January 2024).
Our sincere thanks go to all the students, trainees and teachers who contributed to the success of this exhibition. We would also like to express our gratitude to the City of Brussels for its support and are delighted to have been able to integrate this workshop and this exhibition as part of the Chair of International Solidarity of the City of Brussels.
