Grief hangs heavy in the air even years later. Here stands the Monument commemorating the victims of March 2016. It is a stark reminder of a day that forever changed Brussels. The monument stands on the Rue de la Loi. It serves as a place of remembrance and reflection.
This monument is officially named Wounded But Still Standing in Front of the Inconceivable. It was created by Brussels actor and sculptor Jean-Henri Compère. The monument consists of two long metal surfaces. They rise skyward. Each surface stretches 20 meters.
The attacks of March 22 2016 were a coordinated act of terror. Two suicide bombers detonated bombs at Brussels Airport in Zaventem. Another bomber struck the Maelbeek metro station. Thirty-two people died in the attacks. Over 300 were injured. The Islamic State claimed responsibility.
The monument was unveiled on the first anniversary of the attacks. King Philippe dedicated the monument. It stands in the pedestrianized section of the Rue de la Loi. This location is between the Schuman metro station and the Parc du Cinquantenaire.
The attacks shook Belgium to its core. The country declared three days of national mourning. Flags flew at half-mast. People gathered at Place de la Bourse to lay flowers and write messages. The world responded with solidarity. Landmarks were lit in the colors of the Belgian flag.
Beyond this monument other memorials exist. In the Sonian Forest, 32 birch trees were planted. Each tree represents a victim. This memorial is named Memorial 22/03. Bas Smets designed it as a place for silence.
At Maelbeek metro station a mural commemorates the victims. It is called The Olive Tree. Benoît van Innis created the mural. A plaque lists the names of the sixteen victims. It stands next to the mural.
The trial of those involved began in December 2022. It took place in the former NATO headquarters. Six of the accused were found guilty of terrorist-related murder. The attacks revealed uncomfortable truths. Some of the terrorists had links to Molenbeek.
The monument serves as a focal point. Every year on the anniversary a ceremony is held. The names of the victims are read. Wreaths are laid. A minute of silence is observed.
The monument reminds us of the importance of resilience. Even wounded the city stands. It faces the inconceivable with courage. The monument offers a space for healing. It allows people to remember. It honors those who were lost.
The monument is a testament to Brussels’ spirit. The city will never forget the victims of the March 2016 attacks. The monument ensures their memory lives on. It reminds us to stand together. It urges us to stand strong in the face of adversity.