A welcome ceremony for new Belgians at City Hall
On April 1, 2022, after living in Belgium for 10 years, artist Anyuta Wiazemsky Snauwaert was finally able to write this sentence:
“I declare that I wish to become Belgian and to abide by the Constitution, the laws of the Belgian people and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.”
After a long and difficult process of becoming Belgian, this was it. No ceremony, no celebration. No ritual to mark the transition to a new nationality.
Anyuta's story is the story of many people.
That's why Anyuta is creating a ceremony at the town hall to welcome new Belgians.
Because we may have different backgrounds, but there is also something essential that we share : our future.
A welcome ceremony is the perfect way to acknowledge and celebrate this.
Meal & Conversation
In May, the Rinck and Anyuta are organizing two moments together:
A waffle dinner on Monday, May 19. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A waffle brunch on Sunday, May 25. From 12pm to 2pm.
You are very welcome!
- Meet new people.
- Share a special meal together.
- Discuss identity, nationality and living together in a small group.
- Help decide what the welcome ceremony for new Belgians should look like.
- Bring a friend.
Would you like to participate?
Email lau.tenzeldam@vgc.be or send a message to 0490 678161.
Meals are free, but places are limited.
Registration is required.
Will you bring something tasty to go with the waffles?
Something sweet or something savory, something that tastes like coming home.
Want to read further? Then check out Anyuta's website.