This unassuming plaque. It tells a story. A story of Charles Jordens. A Belgian syndicalist and politician. A man whose life was intertwined with the struggles of his time.
The Charles Jordens Plaque stands here. A testament to his legacy. It honors his contributions to Sint-Gillis. His role as Schepen of Public Works. His brief time as acting mayor. It’s more than just a name etched in metal. It’s a window into a significant chapter of Brussels history.
Charles Jordens began his life as a humble bootmaker. He rose through the ranks of the labor movement. He became a propagandist and secretary for the Central of Leather and Hide Processing of Belgium. A powerful position in the labor movement. His dedication to workers’ rights was unwavering.
World War II cast a long shadow over his life. He resisted the collaborationist Union of Hand and Mind Workers. He remained active in the underground syndicalist movement. His bravery cost him dearly. The German occupiers arrested him for distributing illegal pamphlets and copies of La Libre Belgique. He faced a harsh sentence. Six years and six months of hard labor. He spent 47 months in German concentration camps. A testament to his resistance.
Even after the war’s horrors, his commitment remained strong. He served as the national secretary of the CLVB. He helped integrate this union into the General Central. He then served for two more years as a national secretary. His political career flourished. He became a council member in Sint-Gillis. Later he served as the Schepen of Public Works. Finally he served as acting mayor. A remarkable achievement for a man who started as a bootmaker. He filled in for Paul-Henri Spaak. Spaak became the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This plaque. It’s a quiet tribute. It celebrates a life dedicated to social justice. It remembers the sacrifices made during war. The dedication to his community. It reminds us of Charles Jordens’ enduring legacy. A reminder of his struggle for workers’ rights. His tireless work for his community. The man behind the plaque is worth remembering. His contributions remain relevant today. This plaque is a poignant reminder of his impact on Sint-Gillis and Brussels. A legacy carved in metal and memory.