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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Farm murals in Belgium's Zuiderkempen risk disappearing, heritage group pleads for recognition

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Dozens of unique facade paintings on historic farms in Belgium's Zuiderkempen region are at risk of disappearing.
  • A local heritage society, Heemkundige Kring Ansfried Westerlo, is advocating for official recognition of these frescoes to preserve them.
  • The Flemish regional government has indicated that separate recognition for the paintings, independent of the farm buildings, is unlikely in the current term.

Unique facade paintings adorning historic farms in Belgium's Zuiderkempen region are facing a slow disappearance, prompting a local heritage group to push for their official recognition and preservation. Heemkundige Kring Ansfried Westerlo in Westerlo is campaigning to have these frescoes designated as heritage assets to safeguard them for future generations.

They are silent witnesses to the agricultural development of our region.

— Jef ThysDescribing the historical significance of the facade paintings.

These distinctive murals were added to 53 model farms built between 1952 and 1963 by the National Society for Small Landholdings. The farms, constructed to address post-war food shortages, were originally painted white and featured individual names and corresponding facade paintings inspired by Austrian and German art. The innovative open-stall designs of these farms were even showcased at the 1958 Brussels Expo.

Recognition deters many owners. They often experience it as a burden that makes it more difficult to make changes to the building later.

— Jef ThysExplaining the rationale behind proposing separate recognition for the murals.

While many paintings remain visible today, their condition varies significantly. Some farms have undergone renovations, leading to the loss of their frescoes, while others have faded or been painted over. Jef Thys of the heritage society emphasizes that these paintings are "silent witnesses to the agricultural development of our region" and must be preserved.

The minister's answer is disappointing across the board.

— Mien Van OlmenExpressing dissatisfaction with the regional government's response to the heritage preservation proposal.

The heritage society proposed recognizing the murals independently from the farm buildings themselves, believing that separate recognition would encourage preservation without deterring owners from making necessary modifications to their properties. However, Flemish Member of Parliament Mien Van Olmen, who presented the proposal to Minister Ben Weyts, reported a disappointing response. The minister indicated that separate protection for the paintings is not favored and that a broader investigation is not planned for this government term. Despite the setback, the heritage society remains determined to protect this unique cultural heritage.

Little initiative can be expected from Flanders for this unique Kempense heritage in the next 3 years.

— Mien Van OlmenSummarizing the limited prospect of government action for the preservation of the farm murals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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