Damiaanmuseum in Tremelo receives quality label from Flemish government

The Damiaanmuseum in Tremelo has been awarded the prestigious quality label 'museum recognized by the Flemish government.' Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez personally presented the distinction, affirming the museum's professional and sustainable approach to its operations.

This recognition signifies that the museum meets the stringent quality standards set for professional cultural heritage management. The Flemish government's assessment encompassed various aspects of the museum's work, including how it manages, researches, preserves, and makes its collection accessible to the public. Crucially, the evaluation also considered the museum's long-term continuity, commitment to quality assurance, and future viability.

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This quality label is an important milestone for the municipal Damiaanmuseum. It crowns years of thoughtful commitment, collaboration, and investments by the municipality of Tremelo, the fathers of the Sacred Hearts, Damiaanactie, the province of Flemish Brabant, and KADOC-KU Leuven.

Minister Gennez highlighted the museum's significant professionalization, its unique collection, and its collaborative efforts with local, national, and international partners. She also praised its inclusive practices and strong community ties as key strengths. The museum effectively presents the story of Father Damiaan within a contemporary context, incorporating diverse perspectives, Hawaiian values, and colonial reflections.

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It points the way to new subsidies and projects. Since the municipality took over the Damiaanmuseum, we have not only renovated. We have also given the people from Hawaii who worked with Damiaan a name and face.

Mayor Bert De Wit expressed his satisfaction, calling the quality label a major milestone for the municipal museum. He noted that it crowns years of dedicated effort, collaboration, and investment from the municipality of Tremelo, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Damiaanactie, the province of Flemish Brabant, and KADOC-KU Leuven. This achievement provides further motivation to build on the museum's future, with ambitions for supra-local recognition and structural operational subsidies.

Museum curator Ruben Boon described the award as a significant acknowledgment that paves the way for new subsidies and projects. He mentioned that since the municipality took over the museum, renovations have been completed, and individuals from Hawaii who collaborated with Damiaan have been given names and faces. Boon believes that Damiaan's life, dedicated to helping others, offers inspiration in today's hyper-individualistic and conflict-ridden times. He observed that visitors are often deeply moved by Damiaan's story.

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Damiaan lived to help others, they were happy about that and he himself too. At this moment, in times of hyper-individualization and conflicts, that can provide inspiration.