Aux victimes du Covid – Aan de Covid-slachtoffers Plaque

Can silence speak volumes? Here at the Aux victimes du Covid – Aan de Covid-slachtoffers Plaque, it certainly does. This memorial, nestled within Osseghem Park near the Atomium, whispers the stories of thousands lost during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Aux victimes du Covid – Aan de Covid-slachtoffers Plaque isn’t just a plaque. It’s a poignant reminder of a time that shook the world. Inaugurated on March 13th, 2024, exactly four years after Belgium’s first lockdown, the memorial stands as a testament to the resilience and grief of a nation. The Aux victimes du Covid – Aan de Covid-slachtoffers Plaque is part of a larger project, a family of six memorials scattered across Belgium. Each one, including those in Ghent, Louvain, Aerschot, Courtrai, and Lommel, shares a common design: a broken circle. Here at the Aux victimes du Covid – Aan de Covid-slachtoffers Plaque, thirteen benches form this symbolic circle, interrupted by the natural growth of the park’s trees. Designed by landscape architect Bas Smets, the broken circle symbolizes the interruption of lives caused by the pandemic. The number thirteen represents March 13th, 2020, the date of the first lockdown. The Aux victimes du Covid – Aan de Covid-slachtoffers Plaque stands as a place of quiet reflection. The park itself, once a sanctuary during lockdowns, now offers solace to those who mourn. It’s a space where silence speaks, where memories linger, and where the invisible presence of those lost is deeply felt. The inscription on the plaque reads “A la mémoire des victimes du coronavirus. Le souvenir, c’est la présence invisible,” translating to “In memory of the victims of the coronavirus. Remembrance is the invisible presence.” These words capture the essence of the memorial, a place where grief and remembrance intertwine. The Aux victimes du Covid – Aan de Covid-slachtoffers Plaque invites you to pause, to reflect, and to remember those lost. It is a testament to the power of collective memory and a tribute to the enduring human spirit.