Impressions by Mons 2015

Visiting Mons 2015 was one of my most desired destinations during 2015. I just wanted to see how a European Capital of Culture manages a peak-year full of activities, finishing building cultural facilities and making a step forward in establishing a new local cultural policy. Curiosity was what drove us there – my friend and former colleague and I, both having taken part in Ruse bid book for ECoC.

Although I have read some news about an accidental start of the year in Mons, I was expecting something breath-taking, spectacular or at least, that would make me think. Honestly, I may say that we both were slightly disappointed of our first impression. Not only the general attendance was poor, but also the unfinished infrastructure was there. The good and sometimes funny casual encounters with some artistic pieces made our day in Mons more worthy, and of course, the 2 main projects that I can highlight, precisely because I was eager to get to know something oriented to the common people, to the neighbours.

Still in the train, we definitely expected more people from closer cities to come along, as it was Saturday. And just getting off, we discovered the enormous new train station was still under construction and the old one was arranged for a safe human movement to the platforms. Though, it was nice to see some decorations and signs that there is something going on. Unfortunately, there was no info point of Mons 2015 and we got lost in the narrow streets of the city centre. 

What we found striking is that there weren’t a lot of people, at least as much as we expected for a Saturday enjoying fantastic weather. People from closer cities should have been attracted to attend one of the events during the weekend, as there were really a lot of them, as we were later told in the Info Point. Nevertheless, the café areas at Grand Place were full of people.

Wandering the streets was an experience that we really enjoyed, despite the initial disappointment. We enjoyed the poetry that casually appeared in front of our eyes. Thanks to my friend’s French knowledge, I could understand something. But still it was nice to have this random surprising meeting with someone´s dreams, thoughts or feelings, expressed in a variety of ways. Subtle and intimate relations, smooth discovery of inner courtyards, histories and love messages… Definitely, strolling the streets of Mons was one of the best experiences there.

In that way we could discover local businesses that were either supporing the initiative Mons 2015 or were against it. For sure their shop-windows showed their collaboration as it was the case of a Shop of Young Designers, ot the displeasure of the higher taxes. A big event like ECoC inevitably has disadvantages for a city.

Finally, after enjoying the streets, we found Café Europa that caught my attention. A wooden kiosk that looked curious. We talked to the one of the organizers Mladen and he told us what the project was about. It was what I looked for, a project that was focused on the neighbours and their needs, a weekly activities that dealt with the common interests and that definitely presented something new. It was all about neighbours and new technologies, making workshops, fab-labs, social media presentations to the elderly, international on-line talks with different collectives, common lunches and of course, a lot of fun. I am sure that after the ECoC year this kind of projects will have an afterlife in another format. It is definitely worth it!

After such an inspiring conversation, my friend and I were looking forward to seeing the last, but not least, project on our route. Mons Invisible was some friend´s participation in Mons 2015 and it was exactly what I expected. Open, friendly, noisy natural, funny, dynamic, old, curious, conversational, musical, recycling, social, historical, new… Lucie presented us Le Jardin Suspendu and especially the events that were taking place there. At the same time, a duo concert started at the central place, that animated even more the buzzing atmosphere of the garden over the old bakery. No dubt, a place to discover for children and for adults. There were also an oven and bread-making workshops, cultural activities and serious debates on the stage, and all of this to demonstrate that the old abandoned space, still has life to live. It all depends on us, the users.

As a conclusion, it might be that Mons dreams of ECoC were bigger of what they really could do, but still, the local people saw something that will probably never come again – energy, hope and expectations. But I believe this feeling will stay for some time in the neighbours as they experienced something extraordinary that will make them work for the common.