Better understand for more understanding, this is the ambition of be.Welcome, presented in the Atomium from May 22nd till the end of August.

Undertaken within the framework of the Belgian presidency of the European Union in 2010, this project offers a new perspective on the phenomenon of migration. The programme which is envisaged as a search for paper will be the chance to offer visitors an interactive approach to this social phenomenon. be.WELCOME will give priority to individual stories of migration and will show not only the point of view of the migrants but also the perception of the host country.

After Bipolar and AFRICA. Fast Forward, the Atomium will offer the visitors a new social exhibition. be.Welcome, a realization in collaboration with the Museum of Europe, will show the migration track in Belgium. With this journey throughout the reality of migration, be.WELCOME will encourage reflection on this issue.  This exhibition, presented in the most Belgian building of Brussels, will illustrate a legitimate social theme in an educational and playful manner.

Exiles and immigrants often encounter great difficulties in integrating into the culture and  language of their host country. This aspect is evoked by the theatre performance Je lis, adapted from the life story of Agota Kristof, L’ Analphabète.

Forced to flee her country in 1956 in order to escape the Soviet army, this young Hungarian woman took refuge in French-speaking Switzerland with her family after a long journey. Not knowing a word of French upon arrival, she assimilates to the language and culture of the region through sheer perseverance to the point where she became a renowned writer in her adoptive language. In 2008, she received the Austrian Prize for European Literature in recognition of her whole body of work. Her work has been translated into 30 languages and has brought her international acclaim.

Directed by Sifiane El Asad, the piece opens with a huge book with blank pages which are gradually filled with the life story of the author. Adopting a light, nimble tone, the performance tackles essential themes such as exile, immigration, integration, learning another language and another culture.

>>> Ticket price

• € 20    : AdultS
• € 12    : Students/Unemployed people
• € 1,25    : Article 27
• Special fees for groups are available 

>>> Information and reservation : www.jelis.be • +32 (0)497 484 711

>>> Those interested in the work of Agota Kristof can meet the author during the literary event held in her honour at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in Brussels from 22nd to 30th May 2010.

On 1st June, the Centre for Equal Opportunities and the Fight Against Racism will be organising a study day at the Atomium within the framework of the BE.WELCOME exhibition dedicated to Congolese migration to Belgium. The occasion will see the presentation of a previously unpublished demographic study carried out by the Centre in collaboration with Gédap (The Applied Demographics Study Group – UCL) which looks at Congolese migration and its impact on the Congolese presence in Belgium.

>>> Download the programme in French or Dutch (PDF 282Ko)