Debris from football hooliganism turned into artwork in Bruges

A work of art made with debris from the racially motivated attack on the Brico Ben DIY store in Molenbeek has been unveiled in Bruges.

“It’s a mosaic made from debris from the riots on 4 May,” said one of the artwork's creators, Sarah Zapgho.

“Those riots mobilised us. This is a response to the violence that accompanied the cup final.”

The store was ransacked by supporters of Club Brugge ahead of a championship football match against Anderlecht held in the capital, and its 73-year-old owner and son were brutally beaten.

In the aftermath, the collective "Ik ben België - Je suis la Belgique" (I am Belgium) organised a march against racism and violence, hoping to show that the response to hatred should be solidarity.

“I really hope that the government can change something, because it is absolutely unacceptable that racism still exists in 2025,” said participant Anaïs Lahoul.

To create a more lasting symbol of resistance to racism, the collective made two mosaics from the rubble in the shop.

One remains in Molenbeek and the other has now been unveiled at the train station in Bruges, in the presence of young people and the Bruges mayor Dirk De fauw (CD&V).

“We are walking side by side to show that Belgium belongs to everyone,” said Younes El Montasser, co-founder of the collective, at the start of the march in September.

“We refuse to accept division and want an inclusive society. There are no second-class citizens.”