Inauguration of the Jacques Brel statue
Jacques Brel, Brussels icon, will have a bronze statue starting on this Wednesday.
The monument, sculpted by the artist Tom Frantzen, will be installed in the Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés in Brussels.
The bronze statue shows the Belgian singer Jacques Brel on stage, arms wide open. “Jacques Brel has influenced a whole generation and will attract many visitors. I do not doubt that the selfies taken with the great Jacques will soon be around the world,” stated Marion Lemesre, Economic Councilor of the City of Brussels.
Brussels, a history of love
It was at the time when Brussels would dream
It was at the time of silent films
It was at the time when Brussels would sing
It was at the time when Brussels would “brussel”
At place de Broukere you could see shop windows
With men and women wearing crinolines
At place de Broukere you could see the omnibus [local train]
With men and women wearing opera hats
And on the Imperial square
With their hearts in the stars
There was my grand-father
There was my grand-mother
He was soldier
She was civil servant
He didn’t think, she didn’t think of anything
Yet I’m expected to be smart!
It was at the time when Brussels would dream
It was at the time of silent films
It was at the time when Brussels would sing
It was at the time when Brussels would “brussel”
On the slabs at Sainte-Catherine square
Men and women wearing crinolines would dance
On the slabs the omnibuses would dance
With men and women wearing opera hats
And on the Imperial square
With their hearts in the stars
There was my grand-father
There was my grand-mother
He’d been able to make do
She’d let him do it
So they both did it
Yet I’m expected to be serious!
It was at the time when Brussels would dream
It was at the time of silent films
It was at the time when Brussels would sing
It was at the time when Brussels would “brussel”
Under Sainte-Justine square’s paper lanterns
Men and women wearing crinolines would sing
Under the paper lanterns the omnibuses would dance
With men and women wearing opera hats
And on the Imperial square
With their hearts in the stars
There was my grand-father
There was my grand-mother
He was expecting the war
She was expecting my father
They were as joyful as the canal
Yet I’m expected not to feel down!
It was at the time when Brussels would dream
It was at the time of silent films
It was at the time when Brussels would sing
It was at the time when Brussels would “brussel”
