Memorial 22/03

After a walk along the paths of the Zoniënwoud (forest) you find yourself in a natural clearing surrounded by tall majestic beeches. In the middle of this clearing, Bas Smets architects are planning to plant 32 trees around a circular bench in memory of the 32 victims of the terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016. They opted for birches because their white trunks stand out in the 'undergrowth' of the forest. The choice for birch is also symbolic, as it represents rebirth and youth. Together the 32 trees demarcate a vacant space in the forest. Their branches form a circle against the sky. Within this circle of trees, the architects created a second circle of natural stone consisting of 32 solid blocks of Belgian rock traditionally used for gravestones. These blocks, carved and assembled with great precision in order to form a perfect circle, are anchored into the ground. Their perfectly horizontal alignment reveals the natural slope of the forest. The monument offers a moment of reflection and peace for the victims and their loved ones.

This text is based on the project text provided by the architects.