'Natural memorial' for terror attack victims planned in Sonian Forest

To commemorate the victims killed in the 22 March terror attacks in Brussels, the city plans to create a natural memorial in the Sonian Forest by planting 32 trees, one for each victim. The exact location is yet to be determined, reports Brussels environment minister and initiator of the concept, Céline Fremault.

For the memorial, Brussels landscape architect Bas Smeets is tasked with arranging 32 birch trees that are already several metres high. The trees are meant to collectively remember the victims, and therefore will not receive individual names.

The inauguration of the natural monument is scheduled to take place on 21 March, 2017.

Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort is enthusiastic about the idea, calling it "an important symbolic act" in “a place of absolute peace”.