Tribute to Vincent Van Gogh and Kirk Douglas in the Borinage

Sunday, July 26, 2020

In memoriam...

Vincent & Kirk

On July 29 it will be 130 years ago since Vincent Van Gogh passed away in Auvers-sur-Oise at the age of 37.  And on February 5^th of this year Kirk Douglas died at the remarquable age of 103 !

Both celebreties came to the coal mining region of the Borinage in Belgiujm.Vincent arrived in December 1878 to become an evangelist among the miners and left the region again in October 1880 with the determination to become an artist.

During his stay in Petit-Wasmes Vincent went down in the coal mine of Marcasse.

In October 1955 Kirk Douglas came to the Borinage for the shooting of Vincente Minelli’s film “Lust for Life” in which he played the role of Vincent.  Some of the shootings also took place at the Marcasse coalliery.

This is the reason why we decided to organize a small ceremony in honour of Vincent and Kirk.  Due to corona restrictions in Belgium it was not allowed to organize big events at the moment.

A group of 16 persons from different regions in Belgium came over to the Borinage for a guided walk in Vincent’s steps.

Upon our arrival at the Marcasse site Mélodie Valenberg (“Made in Borinage” association) read extracts from Vincent’s letters in which he mentioned Marcasse.  They are letters 151, 152 and 693 (www.vangoghletters.org).

Afterwards all participants lit a series of candles while Don McLean’s song “Vincent” and the one of Jean Ferrat calles “Les Tournesols” were playing.

It was just a small but emotional ceremony.