Wallonia Commemorates Flood Anniversary with Art and Climate Call

Amidst a heatwave and severe thunderstorms, Wallonia in Belgium is commemorating the fifth anniversary of the devastating floods that struck the region. The commemoration takes a unique artistic form, with participants invited to leave a 'tear' in specially designed settings at five locations hit hard by the disaster.

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This is also a collective signal

The 'Mémoires des eaux' (Memories of Water) initiative, a collaboration between NTGent and Théâtre de Liège, aims to provide a space for reflection and dialogue for those affected. "This is also a collective signal," emphasized initiator Barbara Raes, highlighting the event's purpose as a call to action against climate disruption.

Five years ago, on July 14, Wallonia experienced what was described as a 'water bomb,' resulting in 40 deaths and leaving over 50,000 homes damaged or destroyed along the Vesdre and Ourthe rivers. It remains the most severe natural disaster in Belgian history, with consequences still felt today.

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With other grandmothers in the neighborhood, we organized ourselves to offer help. Those were anxious days, but there was a lot of solidarity

Christiane Lavigne, an 81-year-old resident of Kinkempois, recalled the immediate aftermath. Her neighborhood was cut off for five days, relying on boats for supplies. "With other grandmothers in the neighborhood, we organized ourselves to offer help. Those were anxious days, but there was a lot of solidarity," she said.

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The dead do not return, much remains to be repaired, some people are still distraught, but I believe you have to look to the future.

Now, five years later, Lavigne acknowledges the lingering impact. "The dead do not return, much remains to be repaired, some people are still distraught, but I believe you have to look to the future." She participated in the commemoration ritual at the Sacré-Coeur church in Kinkempois, where water damage is still visible on the pews. Raes described the process of washing participants' hands and engaging in deep conversations within a tear-shaped 'cocoon' as a way to help people process their experiences and leave something behind. "You feel that there is a need for this. It has been 5 years, it is no longer raw grief, but it is not over. As someone said: ça ne s’oublie pas (this is not forgotten)."

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You feel that there is a need for this. It has been 5 years, it is no longer raw grief, but it is not over. As someone said: ça ne s’oublie pas (this is not forgotten).