The Wiertz Museum, like Europe, it concerns us… as well!

After the European Administration privatized the listed swimming pool and theatre of the Résidence Palace nearby the Schuman square ; when we witnessed the triumphant return of “façadisme’ in Brussels with the painful installation of the House of European History in the old Eastman Institute on the listed site of Parc Léopold ; at a time when we learnt about a possible demolition/reconstruction of the parliament’s hemicycle which is next to the Wiertz Museum ; at the moment that a general reformation of the environmental planning of the Region is weakening the protection of patrimony (http://www.lepatrimoinecanousregarde.be) ; right when security issues are again weighing on the districts we still live in ; a collaboration of different associations dedicated to the preservation of Parc Léopold, has learned that one of the studied options by the European Parliament for Antoine Wiertz’s and Henri Conscience’s house is to demolish the interior of the building on the courtyard side to rebuild the interior floors and to raise a “provisional” large reception hall on the garden side. However, The European Parliament has decided that the year 2018 would be dedicated to the Union’s cultural patrimony, since it’s an effective way to promote European citizenship. Is it reasonable then, to take on attitudes and projects that risk not only to affect the Brussels, Flemish, Belgian and European patrimony, but also to create a new discord with the citizens, starting with those who live closest to the Union’s institutions? For this reason, we ask the European Parliament and the Belgian Federal Government to accept to meet us. Together, we want to develop a project intending to create a better future for the Wiertz Museum, Parc Leopold and their direct surroundings, because : The Wiertz Museum, like Europe, it concerns us… as well! The federal government has contacted us and we will have a meeting on the 24th August. We will give them a petition that is still open to more signatures until that date. After we have spoken to the Cabinet Ministers Mme Zuhal Demir (who has responsibility for national museums) and M. Jan Jambon (who has responsibility for building planning), we will submit the petition as well to the European Parliament, as soon as soon as they are returned from their summer break.