Check out the latest issue of Epitaaf's publication Tafofiel and explore the events program taking place at Brussels' cemeteries this spring.
Cemeteries as cultural spaces
Cemeteries are transforming into vibrant cultural spaces that bring together history, heritage, and community. Far from being places of silence alone, they host a wide variety of public activities that invite reflection, discovery, and participation. These events reflect a growing awareness of the role cemeteries play not only as places of remembrance but also as shared cultural landscapes. They contribute to making heritage more accessible and meaningful to all generations.
Spring events at Brussels Cemeteries
This spring, cemeteries across Brussels are hosting a variety of events that highlight the significance of these spaces. Discover the full overview of activities in the latest edition of Tafofiel, the official publication of the Epitaaf association.
The Epitaaf association, member of ASCE, invites you to see a unique art installation at the Laeken Cemetery in Brussels, Belgium.
150 years of the Atelier Salu
This year marks a significant milestone for the Atelier Ernest Salu, as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. To honor this occasion, students from Sint-Lukas Kunsthumaniora have crafted a remarkable tribute to these renowned funerary sculptors.
Nestled among the many Salu graves at the Laeken Cemetery, within the choir of the old church, visitors can now admire a unique installation. This display, inspired by a historical photograph from the Epitaaf archive, showcases the original site of the entrance to the grave galleries, which was later transformed into the Emile Bockstael grave chapel. The installation is adorned with historical funerary objects and sculpting materials, providing a rich visual narrative of the studio’s storied past.
The exhibition is open for visitors every day from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM until 31 August 2024.
The Cemeteries’ Spring event, taking place during WDEC 2024, is an excellent opportunity to discover the beautiful Laeken Cemetery, often referred to as the Père Lachaise of Belgium.
About the event
On 25 and 26 May, the 3rd edition of Cemeteries’ Spring will take place at the Laeken Cemetery in Brussels, Belgium. This year's theme: women and cemeteries.
Passionate guides will take visitors on a guidedtour of one of the region's most beautiful cemeteries and pay tribute to those who have been forgotten, who have remained invisible or whose voices have not been heard enough. Along the way, people can enjoy the musical and poetic interludes of Amusea, a new artwork in progress by Maren Dubnick and some classical music by the 'Ensemble Oncques pareille'.
The event is completely free of charge. There are eight tours per day: four in French, three in Dutch and one in English. Reservations are required before 24 May 2024 via e-mail servicedespublics@brucity.be.
In addition to the cemetery, visitors can also discover the former Atelier Ernest Salu, which exceptionally opens its doors for this occasion. In this workshop, 3 generations of Ernest Salu have created many grave sculptures. It now houses a small museum on grave art.
Short presentation of the project "Cemeteries and Crematoria as public spaces of belonging in Europe: a study of migrant and minority cultural inclusion, exclusion and integration".
About the research
This HERA-funded CeMi project has researched the issue of cemeteries and crematoria not being inclusive enough regarding minorities and migrants in a modern multicultural Europe. The aim was to find possible solutions for this situation and present lessons for policy makers, politicians, and stakeholders at all levels, that will help to build more inclusive and heritage-sensitive communities.
The study was carried out on the example of 6 European countries: Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, and Sweden but it could certainly be applied to many other countries in Europe and the world.
You can find out more about the project at this LINK.
Presentation of the results
A public presentation of the study will be held on November 17, 2022, from 1.00 to 2.30, at the Netherlands House for Education and Research (NETH-ER), 22, rue d'Arlon, 1050 Brussels.
The presentation will include the final report on funeral arrangements for minorities and migrants in the aforementioned countries as well as some recommendations for future improvements.
Researchers worked with animator Stacy Bias to provide an overview of different religious and secular practices in cemeteries and crematoria. The animation video seeks to highlight that the enablement of different ritual and spatial requirements is important for the provision of inclusive public cemeteries and crematoria.
The City of Brussels is taking part in the event “Spring in the cemeteries” and for this first edition it will take place at Laeken Cemetery, on 21 and 22 May 2022.
About the Laeken Cemetery
The Laeken Cemetery counts a large number of important personalities from the 19th century and early 20th. Many of them have erected impressive monuments designed and built by the most prominent architects and craftsmen. In order to meet the large number of burial requests and to maximize the burial space, underground galleries were built. These were the first to be built in Belgium, and will later be extended on several occasions.
“Spring in the cemeteries” event
Throughout the weekend of 21 and 22 May 2022, from 10 am to 4 pm, several activities are proposed:
Guided tours of the galleries with Epitaaf (in French and Dutch).
Visit of the cemetery punctuated by artistic stops (singing and poetry) with Laeken Découverte in partnership with the Cours Florent located in Laeken.
Visit for the deaf people, hearing impaired people and hearing people with the theatre company "Sur le bout des doigts".
With the help of a map given a t the entrance, the public explores the cemetery in order to find the places where artistic breaks are offered in several languages (only on Sunday afternoon).
The pianist Marie Pleyel is buried in the Laeken cemetery. On Sunday, Oxalys will pay a tribute to her in the choir of the old church. The programme of this classical music concert will include a selection of music composed by people who knew and admired her (Ignace Pleyel, Franz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin and Hector Berlioz).
Next to the cemetery, from 10 am to 5 pm, multilingual guides from Epitaaf will welcome you in the old Salu workshops. A family that for three generations has built numerous funeral monuments.
The activities are free of charge.
Registration is compulsory by sending an e-mail specifying the activity desired and the number of participants to servicedespublics@brucity.be.
If you are not in Brussels on the weekend of 21 and 22 May and would like to visit the cemetery, it is open every day from 8.30 am to 4 pm.
Brochures and audio guides in French and Dutch are available at the reception desk. In preparation for your visit, you can also download the children's educational tour in French, Dutch and English (www.bruxelles.be).
The Cemetery of Brussels is a remarkable cemetery with many military and civilian honour fields worth visiting.
About the cemetery
The Cemetery of Brussels covers 380.000 m² where there are located more than 11.000 graves.
It was created in 1877 and designed according a new layout of cemeteries. Whereas cemeteries used to be managed with tombs very close to each other, here the idea was to design the cemetery with wide avenues connecting to impressive roundabouts. The graves would be built along these avenues and roundabouts or inside fields on a structured layout.
Honour fields
This cemetery reflects the history of the city and the country. Its big superficies made possible the creation of many military and civilian honour fields, such as:
Prussians and French (war of 1870 - 1871),
Waterloo (1815),
German (WWI),
Belgians (WWI and WWII),
Soviet soldiers (WWII),
Belgian Airmen’s force, etc.
Other cemetery attractions
landscape: numerous variety of trees which make the cemetery a “green” space rich in biodiversity in the middle of the city.
Historical Belgian fields and memorials: Independence of 1830, Workers of the city passed away on duty, Congo, Belgian forced workers (WWII), “à l’Innovation” (the highest number of dead in the country during peace period, 1968, see hereunder),
Numerous graves of politicians, business men, scientific, artists, nobility members…
Several graves designed by famous architects/sculptors: Horta, Jacques de Lalaing, Jamaer, Malfait, etc.
Today, the Cemetery of Brussels attracts many lovers of nature for its biodiversity (bats, fox, many birds, number of types of moss…), lovers of history for the numerous personalities which are buried there and arts lovers for art funerary and the eclectic style of graves.
Like the years before, two non-profit organizations, Epitaaf vzw and Grafzerkje vzw, joined efforts again in order to organize guided tours during the WDEC 2014.
Two non-profit organizations – Epitaaf vzw and Grafzerkje vzw – joined efforts in order to attract as much attention as possible for this Week from Flemish cities and local authorities.
The Cemetery of Laeken is the oldest of all the cemeteries in Brussels still in function.
About the cemetery
The Cemetery of Laeken covers 6.200 m² were you can find around 10.000 graves. The cemetery and its old church are painted as early as the XIIIth century.
When the first queen of the Belgians passed away she made the wish to be buried in Laeken / Laken where the royal family lived in the neighborhood. This royal funeral stimulated the growth of the cemetery where all nobility, “bourgeoisie” and notorious people of the country wanted to be buried. These wealthy families made build several impressive chapels and grave monuments with marble, golden letter, bronze decoration and sculptures. This generating to the place the nickname of “Père Lachaise of Brussels” where it is e.g. possible to find an original sculpture “The Thinker” of Rodin on a grave.
After some extension of the superficies the city council voted the construction of underground galeries which are unique in Brussels. This in order to have more capacity for burying and keeping in mind the hygienist concern of the XIXth century.
Nowadays the cemetery is still in use as such and also visited by many people in order to admire some impressive monuments and the graves of notorious people.
Cemetery address
Cemetery of Laeken
O.L. - Vrouwvoorplein 16,
1020 Brussels, Belgium
