Subtheme 3
Borderscapes
Exploring how art and cultural expressions reveal, reinterpret, or obscure the boundaries that define our shared spaces.
Source: House of European History
House of European History
About
The House of European History is a museum dedicated to exploring the shared history and cultural heritage of Europe. Through interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and multimedia displays, it traces Europe’s political, social, and economic evolution from ancient times to the present. The museum highlights key moments such as wars, revolutions, and European integration, offering a deeper understanding of how history shapes contemporary Europe. With a multilingual approach and a focus on storytelling, the House of European History provides an immersive and thought-provoking experience for visitors of all backgrounds.
Visit Details
When:
Monday, April 7 at 04:00 pm
Where:
Europa Nostra’s liaison office in Brussels
Rue de l'Industrie/Nijverheidstraat 10
Relevance
The museum highlights how borders have always been shifting and how European nations are deeply connected. It also explores how art and culture have shaped - and been shaped by - changing borders.
The temporary exhibition "Presence of the Past: A European Album" explores how people across Europe connect with history in their daily lives. Using documentary photography, it captures the different ways history is remembered and represented, showing how memory and identity shift across different "borderscapes."
MOVIE NIGHT
About
Kneecap follows the rise of the Belfast-based rap trio who mix Irish and English in their music. Their rebellious style, humor, and political edge capture the energy of post-Troubles Northern Ireland, showing the struggles of youth navigating identity, language, and resistance through art.
Relevance
The film explores cultural and political borders by highlighting how Kneecap reclaims the Irish language in a society where English dominates. It also reflects the lingering divisions of the Troubles, showing how history still shapes identity and community in Northern Ireland. At the same time, the band's journey speaks to migration and shifting cultural landscapes, proving that music can transcend physical and symbolic borders. Kneecap isn’t just a music biopic - it’s a bold statement on language, identity, and resistance.
Source: IMDB
About
Set in East Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall, Goodbye, Lenin! follows Alex, a young man who tries to protect his fragile mother from the shock of German reunification. After she falls into a coma and wakes up months later, he goes to great lengths to maintain the illusion that East Germany still exists, recreating the past in a rapidly changing world.
Relevance
The film explores the emotional and cultural borders that remained even after Germany was physically reunited. It highlights the clash between East and West German identities, showing how people struggled to adapt to sudden political and economic shifts. Through Alex’s efforts to preserve his mother’s perception of the GDR, Goodbye, Lenin! questions whether borders truly disappear or simply take new forms. The film also touches on themes of nostalgia and belonging, making it a powerful exploration of how borders - both real and imagined - shape personal and collective identity. By blending comedy, drama, and political history, the movie offers a unique perspective on the complexities of reunification and the lingering effects of divided pasts.
Source: IMDB
Activity Details
When:
Monday, April 7 after 07:00 pm
Source: Shutterstock
Scavenger Hunt
About
We will discover Brussels in a fun and interactive way with a thrilling scavenger hunt through the city center! This activity will take you through historic squares, hidden alleys, and iconic landmarks as you complete challenges and uncover fascinating stories about the capital of Europe, so you can experience the city's rich history and vibrant culture in a unique and engaging way. Complete as many tasks as possible and take pictures as proof!
Activity Details
When:
Monday, April 7 after 05:30 pm
Where:
Start at the European quarter and finish at city center
Relevance
Brussels' city center presents a rich interplay of art and architecture that actively engages with the theme of borderscapes—the ways in which cultural expressions and urban landscapes expose, challenge, or blur the boundaries that define shared spaces. The city's graffiti, murals, and historical buildings function as layers of meaning, revealing tensions between the past and present, authority and rebellion, preservation and transformation.
Borders as a
Political Space
Examining political, legal, and policy dimensions, including immigration, security, and institutional innovation.
Borders and Everyday Life: Bordering as Practice
Focusing on the material and symbolic practices that shape everyday experiences of borders.
Borderscapes
Exploring how art and cultural expressions reveal, reinterpret, or obscure the boundaries that define our shared spaces.