Search form

menu menu

One year since attacks, Brussels commemorates its victims

13:32 22/03/2017

A number of commemorative events were held across Brussels on Wednesday, one year after the terror attacks that took the lives of 32 people and left more than 300 injured, report various media.

Brussels Airport started the day with a minute's silence at 7.58, the time when the first blast took place at the airport one year ago. The Brussels metro station Maelbeek also held a minute's silence at 9.11, the time of the metro car explosion. Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were present at both ceremonies.

Also at 9.11 this morning, the employees of the city of Brussels gathered on the Grand Place. Others gathered on Rue de la Loi for the unveiling of a monument by Jean-Henri Compère, in honour of all the victims of the attacks.

A moment of reflection took place in front of the Bourse, in the presence of the mayor and aldermen of the capital, while children from some of the city's schools and the La Monnaie choir provided musical accompaniment.

The collective #TousEnsemble/#SamenEén also set up a commemorative event on Place da la Bourse, the destination of several organised walks departing from Molenbeek, Schaerbeek and the European Quarter. The Bourse also formed the backdrop for a civilian memorial service with music, flowers and speeches.

In the evening, Cardinal Jozef De Kesel held a prayer vigil in the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, in memory of the victims of the attacks. Finally, an interfaith memorial concert, with songs of both Muslims and Christians, took place in St. John the Baptist Church in Molenbeek.

Written by Robyn Boyle