Honouring the Dead: Community-led remembrance in the heart of Brussels  

Since 2018, the Marolles district of Brussels has hosted Día de Muertos dans les Marolles, a vibrant, community-led festival inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead. Organised by the artist collective TAS D’OS in collaboration with Centre Culturel Bruegel and MetX, and funded by the City of Brussels, the event transforms public spaces into arenas of collective remembrance and cultural expression. 

Unlike traditional festivals which position audiences as passive consumers of performances, this festival invites active participation: residents and visitors alike engage in face-painting, carry torches, share the same meal, and create offerings in communal workshops. The aim is not to present a spectacle but to foster a shared space where the community can honour the deceased together. 

Building cultural participation through inclusive activities 

In the lead-up to the festival, over 60 hours of workshops are conducted in local schools and nursing homes, engaging diverse age groups in creative expression. These workshops culminate in a week-long programme featuring concerts, storytelling, craft sessions, and discussions on death and mourning.  

A central element is the Grand Autel des Morts (Great Altar of the Dead), an installation open throughout November on the forecourt of Centre Culturel Bruegel. Comprising assembled furniture pieces, the altar serves as a communal space for individuals of all backgrounds to leave offerings, write messages, and engage in reflection.  

Fostering cultural infrastructure and exchange 

The festival’s programming includes collaborations with international artists, such as the Mexican trio Que Siempre Sí, who lead workshops and performances in traditional Son Jarocho music. Events like the poetic and musical stroll at Saint-Gilles Cemetery further enrich the cultural tapestry, featuring funeral songs from various traditions performed by global musicians. 

These activities not only celebrate cultural diversity but also strengthen Brussels’ cultural infrastructure by providing platforms for intercultural dialogue and artistic exchange. 

A model for inclusive cultural policy 

Día de Muertos in Marolles exemplifies how cultural policy can support community-led initiatives that promote inclusivity and active participation. By integrating traditional practices with contemporary urban life, the festival creates a space where collective memory and cultural expression converge. 

The event culminates in a torchlight procession attracting over 4,000 participants, symbolising unity and shared remembrance. This model demonstrates the potential of cultural events to foster community cohesion and enrich the urban cultural landscape.