Two hundred figures who have positively influenced Belgium’s history will be brought to life using artificial intelligence in time for the country’s bicentenary in 2030. The first of these figures, Fenella, was unveiled on Friday at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels.
Named 'Avatars 200,' the project aims to revive historical figures, both public personalities and heroic anonymous individuals, project initiator Géraldine Bueken explained.
Fenella, the first historical figure showcased, is a significant character from the opera 'La Muette de Portici' and plays a crucial role in Belgian history.
“Fenella carries the memory of Belgium and gives proper recognition to a woman who helped shape our shared history,” said Bueken.
“The 1830 performance of ‘La Muette de Portici’ at the Théâtre de la Monnaie sparked the Belgian Revolution, making Fenella a powerful symbol of freedom and emancipation.”
These conversational avatars will eventually interact with the public, providing a dynamic and immersive way to convey their legacy. “History is alive thanks to these avatars; we can make it more accessible and inclusive, bridging the past and future,” Bueken said.
The public will be able to choose the remaining 199 figures by voting on the Avatars200.be website.
Avatars 200 is part of the Invisible Festival, an augmented reality art festival that uses technology to highlight history’s hidden figures.
