This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Belgium
MigratieMuseumMigration
The EHL Site
The MigratieMuseumMigration (MMM), inaugurated on 12 October 2019 in Molenbeek, Brussels, celebrates the rich cultural diversity that characterises the town, home to around 180 nationalities. It was created to mark the 50th anniversary of Foyer asbl, the museum’s founding association, and pays tribute to the many migrants who have helped shape this diverse city.
The MMM has several essential missions. Firstly, it aims to promote intercultural understanding by raising public awareness of Brussels’ superdiversity, a notion that encompasses diversity between ethnic and cultural groups, as well as diversity within these communities themselves.
Secondly, the museum plays a key role in education and awareness-raising by organising exhibitions, educational workshops, conferences, and cultural events focusing on migration-related issues. In this way, it contributes to an understanding of the issues surrounding integration and migration.
The MMM is also committed to preserving the history of migration in Brussels by collecting, conserving, and presenting artefacts, testimonies, and documents, thereby helping to preserve the region’s collective memory.
The museum goes beyond the tangible by focusing on the intangible, by collecting and exhibiting the life stories of Brussels residents with links to migration, as well as associated objects. It also uses contemporary art to engage visitors with migration issues.
European dimension
The MigratieMuseumMigration shows the history of migration in the well-known capital city of Belgium. Brussels represents Europe by its institutions but also by its culture and values. Brussels is a place where anyone and everyone can be themselves. Europe starts here. The MigratieMuseumMigration gives a clear view of the various waves of migrants and refugees to Europe after WW2. It shows how migrants and migration have contributed substantially to the development and promotion of Europe, especially on common values such as multicultural diversity and multilingualism that underpin European integration.
The organization
The museum aims to be:
EMPATHIC
The MigratieMuseumMigration radically opts for the power of personal stories. Memories and photos are in the centre. The warm presentation ignites the visitor’s memory, which in turn can be shared. Thanks to this, the visitor knows that his or her history is recognised as part of the great history of Brussels.
PARTICIPATORY
MMM is for and by the people. This is the result of an intensive process with many Brussels residents. The museum invites the visitor to be part of the adventure by contributing to this colourful installation to become part of the face of Brussels.
INFORMATIVE
Through a timeline, touch screen, MMM Academy and digital information, visitors are given information about the many migrations to Brussels and the emergence of multicultural neighbourhoods.
ACCESSIBLE
The MMM and the municipality of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek have worked together to turn the garden next door into a green zone.
ECOLOGICAL
The MMM attaches particular importance to ecology. We use solar panels and water collectors.