Rajaa Belle, arrivée en Belgique, a intégré le quartier des Marolles suite à sa participation au Café L'Or, un rassemblement mensuel en non-mixité choisie dans les locaux du PCS Querelle rue des Tanneurs pour échanger et réseauter. Grâce à cette initiative, elle a découvert et rejoint l'atelier théâtre pour femmes au Théâtre des Tanneurs. Cet atelier a réuni des femmes de diverses origines, certaines des Marolles et d'autres de toute la Belgique, offrant un espace pour discuter ouvertement de sujets intimes et personnels. Rajaa a souligné la beauté de cette expérience, révélant que malgré leurs différents parcours, toutes les femmes se rejoignaient sur des problématiques communes. Les thématiques abordées dans l'atelier et le spectacle incluaient la maternité (son importance et les responsabilités qu'elle implique), la charge mentale, diverses formes de violences (abusive, domestique), les discriminations, le harcèlement au travail et les agressions sexuelles. L'objectif était de présenter un panorama complet des défis et des aspects de la vie des femmes. Le public, majoritairement féminin, a été très ému et touché par le spectacle, se sentant reconnu et exprimant une forte gratitude pour le message véhiculé. Les retours ont été très positifs, encourageant la poursuite de ce spectacle de sensibilisation.

Elle a vécu 16 ans en Amérique du Nord (Canada et États-Unis), travaillant avec des femmes sur des sujets tels que l'estime de soi, la confiance en soi, la fixation d'objectifs et le syndrome de l'imposteur. En participant au Café L’Or, elle a vu l'opportunité de partager son expertise. Face à l'intérêt et aux demandes des participantes, elle a proposé aux organisatrices d'offrir des ateliers en développement personnel, une offre qui a été très bien reçue. Elle a animé un premier atelier en janvier sur les nouvelles résolutions, utilisant l'outil "Vision Board" (tableau des rêves) pour aider les femmes souvent surmenées à se prioriser et à définir leurs objectifs pour l'année 2025. Un deuxième atelier a été dédié à la confiance en soi, une thématique qu'elle décrit comme universelle et touchant de nombreuses femmes. Ces ateliers ont rencontré un grand succès, car ils abordent des sujets résonnants pour les femmes, quelle que soit leur localisation. Ils ont permis de créer un cadre de bienveillance où les participantes ont pu discuter ouvertement de questions personnelles, être vulnérables et partager leurs expériences.

Gules réside dans le quartier de la Querelle depuis 25 ans. Il exprime un profond attachement à son quartier, qu'il décrit comme un lieu unique où les gens sont particulièrement gentils et serviables, contrairement à d'autres communes. Malgré des problèmes de santé, il reçoit beaucoup d'aide de ses voisins et des services sociaux. Il apprécie la vie sociale, les fêtes et les moments de partage autour d'un café ou d'un repas. Ses passions incluent la musique (française, belge, flamande) et la danse. Il mentionne également qu'un voisin, Hugo l'a aidé à apprendre à cuisiner. Bien qu'il soit seul (divorcé avec des enfants adultes), il souligne qu'il ne se sent pas isolé grâce à ses nombreux amis et à la forte dimension communautaire du quartier, qu'il considère comme une famille. Il aime aussi marcher pour sa santé et profiter des parcs et espaces verts.

Every workshop I wonder: who will I have in front of me? Mystery, surprise that was my role I had to do several steps backwards from my normal practice as a photographer; nor was it my usual workshop practice to teach the technique. Your proposal gave me much freedom, free from technical issues; I could concentrate purely on the human; and also look at the roots of photography, collodion photography as medium used during first colonizing missions for me it was an important moment; start to have a critical eye, and make a statement I did not choose wetplate photography to make a statement, but as a language: slow, against trends, AI, speed, also taking back the historical part Your project is changing the way I take photographs now, with clients. This stuff is still there with me; it built a different base.

question: how did project change your view on 19thC photography? The beginnings of collodion photography in 19th Century: big step forward material was heavy: I also work with a bike and a trailer and it is about 60-70 kg. In our project, I could take even more distance and give back this technique. It was used to steal images, without consent _ to grab. The photographer was not looking for beauty or a connection. I started this technique in 2012; connection to the person: close, next to camera, experience; it is already 'giving back' to the person. Directness, truth of collodion photography. Thus the 'giving back' was already part of my approach; giving back to the technique what was taken away, then you arrive and this 'giving back' has even a bigger meaning: which was: I give back the vision. I am not even a photographer anymore. I had the privilege to learn this technique. Now I share the camera; their choices for frame, costumes, nudity, …

Question: But it is your atmosphere and encouragement. Artistic and life choice. Anticipation: preparing chemistry, care, also when people going away intense day, many things happening, emotions, singing, crying presence before and after Something about the way the groups were formed was special; very engaging – I was chosen also playful conversations around the microphone... big topics, serious, and one minute later we are laughing Did you expect this, Antje? I had hopes for this; history of the idea; sharing the experience, healing; spending the day together, away from the frontlines. I am not dissapointed at all. Silvano: It created connections between people; and playfulness. Discovered each other, not feeling alone..

Unexpected strong moments, good ideas; central guests explaining to each of the guests why they were chosen. Strong human encounter because we had time. One group was singing, giving extra energy to the pictures; some emotions or discussions stay, some people are, as you said, are really close to burnout; some were talking about the stigmas of working on the topics of nightlife and drugs. We coul continue; now often when I meet people, I fel like inviting them for such a day.

Juan Moreno Benjumea, born in Seville in 1991, lives in Anderlecht, has Spanish roots and works as a civil servant. He came to Belgium to study law in Leuven and then moved to Brussels.

He loves the diversity, dynamism and social role of Brussels as a capital city, but regrets the inequality and poverty. He finds the Spanish presence and migration history of Brussels residents in general interesting.

His questions for the future concern migration as an opportunity, inequality and public space.

Oleksandra Kolomiets, born in Kyiv in 2018, lives in Brussels City, has Ukrainian roots and is a primary school pupil. She is seven years old at the time of this interview. She fled to Belgium with her mother; her father and grandparents are still in Ukraine. She loves the animals in the Museum of Natural Sciences. She takes the underground to school. She celebrates her birthday and Easter and misses the snow in Ukraine.

Adam Bouali was born in Jette in 2008, lives in Uccle, has Moroccan roots, is a secondary school student and works part-time. He considers religion important and is curious about other religions in his city.

Brussels is his life: school, football, friends, atmosphere, activities and joy, but also insecurity, crime, noise, drugs and litter in public spaces.

His questions about the future concern litter, shootings and alcoholism on the streets.

Valeria Sylka, born in Ukraine in 1974, lives in Auderghem, has Ukrainian roots and came to Belgium because of the war. She was an economist in her country and now looks after her granddaughter and does voluntary work.

She loves Art Nouveau, café and jazz culture, the mix of people and tolerance, and multilingualism. On the other hand, she regrets the lack of safety, the waste problem and the difficulty of finding childcare. She celebrates Orthodox holidays, especially Easter.

Her questions for the future concern safety, climate and education.

Céline Robin, born in 1991 in Soignies, lives in Uccle, has Belgian and Italian roots and works as a communications officer at Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 and previously at Les Petits Riens.

She loves the liveliness, the enormous variety and the international diversity of Brussels. She also finds Brussels expensive in terms of housing and thinks there are too many cars and traffic jams. She loves Bozar and Delirium Village.

Her questions for the future concern consumption, poverty and inequality, and the city's outlook.