Two souls intertwined, forever cast in bronze. Here, at the Monument à Edith Cavell et Marie Depage, we remember two extraordinary nurses. The monument stands as a testament to their courage and sacrifice during the tumultuous years of World War I. Edith Cavell, a British nurse working in Brussels, risked her life sheltering and aiding Allied soldiers to escape German-occupied Belgium. Her compassion extended beyond borders, treating both friend and foe alike. However, her bravery came at a price. In 1915, she was arrested, tried, and executed by a German firing squad. The inscription on the Monument à Edith Cavell et Marie Depage speaks volumes: “A EDITH CAVELL / A MARIE DEPAGE / 1915 / PASSANT DIS-LE A TES ENFANTS / ILS LES ONT TUEES” – “Passer-by, tell your children: they killed them”. A stark reminder of the brutal realities of war. Marie Depage, a Belgian nurse, met a different but equally tragic end. She dedicated herself to organizing ambulance expeditions to the Balkans and tirelessly raised funds for her hospital. Returning from a fundraising trip to the USA, she boarded the Lusitania, only to perish when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915. The Monument à Edith Cavell et Marie Depage, with its bronze figures of an angel and a young woman scattering flowers, immortalizes their shared dedication to humanity. It serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of war and the unwavering courage of those who choose compassion amidst conflict. Inaugurated in 1920 in the presence of Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, the monument stands proudly in front of the Edith Cavell hospital, a fitting tribute to these two remarkable women. Remember their names, Edith Cavell and Marie Depage, and their unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering, even in the face of unimaginable danger. Their legacy lives on, inspiring generations to come.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to