Wow. Look at that vibrant Jommeke mural. It’s a burst of color right here in Brussels.
This isn’t just any painting. It’s a tribute to a beloved Belgian comic book series. Jommeke the ten-year-old boy with straw-like hair is the star. He’s surrounded by his friends Filiberke Annemieke and Rozemieke. Even Professor Gobelijn is there.
The Jommeke comic books began in 1955. Jef Nys created them for children aged 7 to 12. They’re still incredibly popular in Dutch-speaking Belgium. Over 300 albums exist. But the series has faced criticism. Some find the portrayal of women sexist. Many female characters are shown as weak passive and maternal. Men often mock or blame women for their failures.
Thankfully the stories have evolved. Newer editions remove outdated items. The language is updated. Even the currency changed from francs to euros. While some gender stereotypes remain the newer albums show more engaged ideas. Jommeke’s mom makes her son and husband help with housework. Strong female characters appear too. Yet they sometimes fall into another sexist stereotype the domineering woman. On this mural though the only women are the twins passively watching the boys play.
This particular mural was painted by Sarina Ahmad. She’s the granddaughter of Jef Nys. The mural features Jommeke’s friends and their pets. You can see Pekkie Filiberke’s dog Flip Jommeke’s parrot and Choco the monkey belonging to the twins. Three painters worked five days to complete it. They used 35 liters of paint. The mural is seven meters high and five meters wide.
This artwork is more than just a colorful picture. It’s a piece of Belgian cultural history. It captures the spirit of a beloved comic book series. It sparks conversations about evolving societal views. The Jommeke mural adds color and joy to Laeken. It reminds us that even beloved characters can inspire discussions about representation and change. So enjoy this moment. Let the colorful adventures of Jommeke and his friends bring a smile to your face.