Men dressed in 1940s attire stood the entirety of Saturday in Brussels’ central station, facing a wall in a symbolic remembrance of the horrors endured by political prisoners in World War II at the Fort Breendonk site.
During the Second World War, 3,600 prisoners, mostly political, were held captive at Breendonk and denied their rights.
Upon arrival, captives had to stand facing a courtyard wall for registration and prisoner clothing distribution, and endured uncertain captivity durations.
“Inspired by the appalling stories from Breendonk, young men are spending an entire day facing a wall,” Jef Vrelust, the Breendonk site manager, explained.
“They dress as the prisoners did when they arrived at Breendonk to commemorate this epoch as accurately as possible. The aim is to offer today’s young generation an enlightening experience by allowing them to step into the shoes of the prisoners, despite getting only a glimpse of their afflictions.”
Mr Vrelust elaborated, “With this event, we primarily seek to honour the 3,600 political prisoners by putting young people in their shoes. This way, we create a bridge between past and present, as it’s crucial not to forget the atrocities of Breendonk. Hence, we actively involve young individuals in this installation.”
