Editor
Genk (The Brussels morning Newspaper): A brand new statue of Saint Barbara, protector of miners, was put in in Genk after a profitable crowdfunding marketing campaign. The metropolis plans to revive it after 12 years of climate injury.
Local tales say {that a} statue of Saint Barbara, who protects miners was above the doorway of the previous Winterslag mine constructing in Genk, Belgium. Miners respect her as a result of she is believed to guard in opposition to sudden loss of life, making her a becoming image for the mining neighborhood. The area of interest the place the statue was positioned appears to have been made for it, situated proper above the doorway and designed to focus on its significance. This sort of design is widespread for putting saint statues as they’re meant to supply safety and blessings to individuals coming out and in of the constructing.
What proof exists for the legend of Saint Barbara in Genk?
It has been stated that right here isn’t any actual proof like pictures or paperwork to point out it ever existed. Attempts to seek out proof, like checking previous data or asking former miners and their households, haven’t labored. This has turned the story into an area legend stored alive by the neighborhood and the empty area of interest the place the statue was imagined to be. People nonetheless imagine it was meant for Saint Barbara as a result of she is essential in mining areas however till extra proof is discovered the story stays a thriller.
That’s why artist Sofie Muller had the concept to place her personal statue of Saint Barbara in that spot, in line with Anniek Nagels, the Alderman for Culture. The new neo-Gothic statue actually moved the individuals within the space and plenty of needed to maintain it within the area of interest. The Agency for Immovable Heritage agreed and town started a crowdfunding marketing campaign permitting the residents of Genk to assist personal the statue collectively.
For each euro donated by Genk residents, town added one other euro serving to everybody come collectively to purchase the statue. The Barbara statue has been within the area of interest for 12 years however dangerous climate has made it lose a few of its particulars. So, town determined to revive it and utilized for funding from ECRU Heritage. They will even repair up the area of interest and take steps to maintain birds from nesting there.
