Belgium Unveils Memorial Garden at Former Site of Dutroux’s House

Belgium Unveils Memorial Garden at Former Site of Dutroux’s House

A Garden of Remembrance in Marcinelle

Belgium has inaugurated “Entre Terre et Ciel” (Between Earth and Sky), a memorial garden at the former location of Marc Dutroux’s house in Marcinelle. The garden is dedicated to the victims of pedophilia, a grave issue that has had a significant impact on Belgian society and beyond. The site, once a place of unimaginable horrors, has been transformed into a serene space where people can reflect on the tragic events that transpired and pay their respects to the victims.

The garden is adorned in white, with an array of trees, flowers, and shrubs planted to ensure year-round color. A striking mural of a child with a kite, previously featured on the wall of Dutroux’s house, has been recreated on the façade of an adjoining house and will be illuminated day and night. The garden also includes an alcove for leaving flowers, candles, or stuffed animals, located near where the old window was.

The City of Charleroi’s Involvement

The City of Charleroi, which purchased the seized house and carried out the works to transform it into a memorial garden, hosted the inauguration. The city’s involvement underscores its commitment to acknowledging the atrocities that occurred and providing a space for collective remembrance and reflection.

Parents of the Victims Speak Out

During the inauguration, parents of the victims spoke about the importance of remembering the atrocities committed. Jean-Denis Lejeune, father of victim Julie, appealed to those in power to make every possible effort to eradicate pedophilia from society.

Gino Russo, father of victim Melissa, shed light on the horrific conditions inside the house, particularly in a hidden cellar measuring one meter by 2.30 meters. Russo underscored that there are still unresolved issues in the legal case and expressed hope that the cellar might be reopened for further investigation in the future.

A Place for the Community, Not for the Parents

Despite the creation of the memorial garden, neither Jean-Denis Lejeune nor Gino Russo plan to visit the site to pay their respects. They believe the garden is a beautiful place for the local community to remember the victims, but they personally prefer to visit the resting places of their daughters.

Conclusion

The inauguration of the “Entre Terre et Ciel” memorial garden is a significant move towards acknowledging and remembering the victims of pedophilia in Belgium. The transformation of a site of such horror into a place of tranquility and remembrance sends a powerful message about resilience, remembrance, and the ongoing fight against such heinous crimes.