New Belgium, New Brussels

In this Bozar City Talk, Tom Naegels will focus on the history of migration in Brussels and place it in a broader – national and international – context. He will be talking to Laura Nsengiyumva, a Brussels native with non-Belgian roots. She sketches the realities of life for new Belgians past and present, who have helped to shape the Brussels (and Belgium) we know today.

Tom Naegels (1975) researches Belgium’s migration history. His first book on the topic, Nieuw België – Een migratiegeschiedenis 1944 – 1978 [New Belgium – A Migration History 1944 – 1978] was published in 2021 and has been called ‘the most important book of the year’.

Laura Nsengiyumva (1987) is a multidisciplinary Belgian artist with Rwandan roots. She studied architecture at La Cambre and describes herself as an “activist who combines her artistic practice with her activist involvement”.

The discussion will be moderated by Jana Kerremans (Culture & heritage expert, presenter & panel host).