Didn’t Nestor de Tière dream of days like this when he was a boy? Nestor de Tière, the celebrated Belgian writer, now stands immortalized in the heart of Josaphat Park. Let’s delve into the story behind this tribute.
Nestor de Tière was born in Eine in 1856. He later died in Forest in 1920. The statue you see before you commemorates his life. He was a writer who wrote in Dutch.
As a child, Nestor wasn’t a fan of school. He preferred wandering through fields. He liked dreaming along the Schelde’s banks. Despite his aversion to formal education, he loved to read. Anything he could get his hands on, he read and reread.
At eighteen, Nestor began writing sentimental pieces. He became a clerk after school. August Hendrickx encouraged him to write plays. At twenty-four, he moved to Brussels. He worked for the Ministry of Railways. This is where his playwriting career took off. His well-known works include “Gedichten”, “Een Spiegel”, “Roze Kate”, and “Wilde Lea”.
Nestor de Tière passed away at sixty-four. Yet, his plays continue to be performed. In 2009, “Honger” was adapted by Sarah Moeremans.
The commune of Schaerbeek honored him. They named a street after him. This statue in Josaphat Park further commemorates him. There are also two statues in Flanders. These statues are in Alost and Audenarde. Audenarde is where his birthplace is.
Lucien Wollès created a portrait of Nestor de Tière in 1907. It is a crayon and pastel drawing. It is kept at the Museum voor Schone Kunsten Gent.
So, as you stand before the Nestor de Tière statue, remember the rebellious spirit who found solace in literature. His words continue to resonate today. He is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s passion. His legacy lives on in Brussels.