The city of Ostend is at a critical juncture in how it approaches its historical heritage. The equestrian statue of Leopold II on the Zeedijk is a source of division and controversy. Many residents and visitors associate the statue with the colonial atrocities committed during Leopold II’s rule over Congo, leading to repeated defacement and vandalism in recent years. Despite this, the city of Ostend has chosen not to remove the statue but to provide it with a new and critical context. At the end of 2023, the city issued a call for an artistic intervention that aims to push this discussion further.  

Art as interpretation and reflection 

In 2019 the city decided to keep the monument, not to glorify the past but rather to recontextualize it. The statue of Leopold II will remain, but it will now be accompanied by a contemporary artwork that highlights the complexities of the colonial past and encourages reflection. 

There was a curator appointed to lead the process. Pieter Boons selected eleven contemporary artists with African descent. The artists have all developed an art project that engages with the legacy of colonialism. Their works will be exhibited from September 14 until the end of October 2024 during the temporary exhibition titled “What about Leopold II???” in the Royal Galleries. The city underscores the importance of shifting perspectives in this dialogue giving a voice to those directly affected by colonialism.  

Part of a global movement on colonial monuments 

This project is part of a larger global movement to rethink monuments that honour colonial figures. Following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, statues linked to colonialism and racism including those of Leopold II, became targets of activism and public outrage. In cities across Europe and the United States, statues of figures like Christopher Columbus and Cecil Rhodes were removed or defaced as symbols of oppression. 

In Belgium, this movement is particularly powerful as the country confronts the brutal history of Leopold II’s rule in Congo, which led to millions of deaths. While some cities, like Brussels and Ghent, have removed such statues, Ostend has chosen a different approach. Rather than erase the monument, the city seeks to foster dialogue, using art to reflect on colonialism’s legacy and educate the public. The project aims to turn the site into a space for re-examining history rather than forgetting it. 

Participation from the citizens of Ostend 

A key part of this project is the input from the citizens of Ostend themselves. Through the online platform ‘ons.oostende.be’ and special postcards available at various locations in the city such as the library and city hall, residents can share their opinions on the eleven proposed artworks. The feedback will be considered by the city in its final selection of the artwork. 

The future artwork 

The ultimate goal of this project is to realize one of the selected artworks by the end of 2025 at the site of the Leopold II statue. This new artwork will not be a simple statement but a place of reflection and education. The square will become a space where people can pause to reflect on colonial history and its lasting impact, such as racism and intolerance, which are still felt today.