What if a storm stole the very heart of a community? That’s almost what happened to I\u2665SJTN in 2022. The I\u2665SJTN sign is a declaration of love for Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. It stands proudly on Place Madou.
The municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode placed the I\u2665SJTN letters here in 2016. Saint-Josse is the smallest municipality in Brussels. Like other big cities, it wanted to attract tourists. The I\u2665SJTN sign became its emblem.
In February 2022, Storm Eunice struck Brussels. The heart in the middle of “I love SJTN” was blown away. A Twitter user even captured the heart-shaped panel flying through the wind. The heart was lost for days.
The municipality issued a storm warning. A video showed the heart tumbling down the street. A passer-by even dragged it.
The battered heart of I\u2665SJTN was found near Place Surlet de Chokier. This location is not far from Madou. Murielle Deleu confirmed the discovery. She worked for Mayor Emir Kir. The heart was no longer in one piece.
The municipality was determined. “We are going to give it back its shape and color” Deleu said. “So that the heart of our municipality can beat again.”
Saint-Josse-ten-Noode is a unique place. Over 125 nationalities live here. It is a world laboratory of North-South relations. This all exists within just 1 square kilometer.
Saint-Josse is the smallest and poorest municipality in Belgium. Yet, it actively participates in international solidarity. It exchanges knowledge with other countries. These countries include Morocco, Turkey, the Philippines, and Palestine.
Saint-Josse works on many projects. They focus on social action and improving facilities. They also support micro-credits. The goal is to fight inequality. They aim to improve access to public services.
Saint-Josse is twinned with cities in Morocco and Turkey. These include Tanger and Eskisehir. They collaborate on health, social work, and education. They also work together on culture, sports, and the environment.
The story of I\u2665SJTN is more than just a sign. It reflects the spirit of a diverse community. It shows their resilience. The heart of Saint-Josse may have been blown away. But its people never lost hope. They rebuilt it stronger than before. The I\u2665SJTN sign now stands as a symbol. It stands for the enduring love. It represents the community’s heart and spirit.