A cenotaph bearing the names of the seven Congolese individuals who died during the 1894 Antwerp World’s Fair was unveiled on 12 May 2026 at Schoonselhof cemetery.

The seven had been part of the temporary African village, a feature of the colonial exhibition located near the present-day Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA). They succumbed to dysentery and lung diseases.

The inauguration ceremony was organised by the Consulate-General of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congolese-Flemish Community of Antwerp (CVGA), in collaboration with the City of Antwerp. In attendance were Antwerp Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA), Alderman for Religious Affairs Stijn De Rooster (N-VA), and Alderman for Cemeteries Ken Casier (N-VA).

The event focused on historical recognition and human dignity. The date, 12 May, was chosen in consultation with representatives of the Congolese community and marks the day the first of the seven Congolese individuals died in 1894. The programme included speeches, a moment of silence, cultural contributions, and a symbolic floral tribute.

Visible place of remembrance

Thanks to the cenotaaph, a piece of the Antwerp Congolese community’s history now has a visible place of remembrance. The memorial invites reflection on the past and emphasises the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in today’s city.

Mayor Els van Doesburg said, “As a city, we bear the responsibility to confront difficult chapters of our history. This commemoration of the seven Congolese from 1894 is a moment of recognition and respect. It gives us the opportunity to pause and engage in dialogue together.”

Alderman for Religious Affairs Stijn De Rooster added, “Antwerp will never forget Sabo, Bitio, Isokoyé, Manguesse, Binda, Mangwanda, and Pezo. Their harrowing and confronting story touches everyone’s heart. With this cenotaaph in a dignified and visible location, we acknowledge and commemorate them in a fitting manner. At the same time, together with the cohesive and resilient Congolese-Antwerp community, we send a positive message of hope and harmony to the world.”

Ken Casier, Alderman for Cemeteries, stated, “Our cemeteries in Antwerp do not merely serve the function of burial. They also play an important role in processing grief and providing comfort. Additionally, they serve a relevant function as a reminder, with Schoonselhof, in particular, acting as the city’s memory. This cenotaaph reminds us to reflect on what happened in the past and to honour those who lost their lives.”

According to Christelle Yoka of the CVGA, the commemoration was an important moment of recognition: “What happened in 1894 still affects how we look at each other and live together today. This commemoration is not an endpoint for us, but a first step in restoring people’s place in history. That we can do this together with the city administration is hopeful and means a great deal to our community. It is a beginning of the recognition we have missed for generations.”

On the look of Antwerp

• ANTWERP | Scheldt Quays between Sint-Michielstraat and Sint-Jansvliet to become event space.
• ANTWERP | Concept design for Koningin Astridplein  / Queen Astrid Square approved.
• ANTWERP | New railway ‘Spoorpark’ park between Borgerhout and Zurenborg to be named Statiepark.
• ANTWERP | Sint-Jacobskerk (St James’ Church) fully reopens after seven years of restoration.
• Antwerp shopping streets revitalised: more variety and less vacancy.
• PHOTOS | Presenting Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station anno 2026.
• ANTWERP | Construction begins on new Steenplein pontoon to meet rising water transport demand.
• Antwerp refines Tree Plan: continued focus on Future Trees and green volume.
• ANTWERP | Final design approved for Ringpark Groene Vesten: four sub-parks in Berchem to be built from late 2027.
• ANTWERP | Redevelopment of the Wapper begins, to be finished in spring 2028.
• ANTWERP | Renovation of Sint-Andries site begins: a new cultural and community hub for the neighbourhood.
• ANTWERP | Alderman Ken Casier calls for more greenery on Operaplein: “though it will not be an easy task”.
• ANTWERP | Redevelopment of the Stuivenberg site takes further shape.
• ANTWERP | Circulation plan for Meirbrug with car-free Kammenstraat and Groenplaats approved.
• ANTWERP | Premetro tunnel between Left and Right Banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works.
  ANTWERP | Concept for Meir redevelopment plan approved.
• Antwerp approves Pedestrian Programme 2025 to transform the city into a leading walking environment by 2030.
• Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station to be renovated during the 2026 spring half-term and to open in May.
• Antwerp-Berchem Railway Station up for major revamp.
• ANTWERP | Improving traffic safety on Belgiëlei and Klein-Antwerpen.
• ANTWERP | Top Boerentoren to be restored to 1930 look unless new plans are approved.
• Flanders selects Bovenbouw Architectuur and Christ & Gantenbein as architects for M HKA museum of contemporary art.
• ANTWERP | Redevelopment of the Paardenmarkt one step closer.
• ANTWERP | New owners to explore future for Shopping Stadsfeestzaal on the Meir.
• ANTWERP | ‘Blinds’ Martin Margiela at Schuttershofstraat.
• ANTWERP | Flemish Culinary Centre Smaakhaven at Loodwezen to open in 2029.
• Antwerp unveils texts and names for monument in honour of WWII victims.
• City of Antwerp commissions ‘Collectie Centrum’ to store heritage collection.
• 17th century Antwerp Citadel decorative vase gets prominent place at KMSKA.
• Antwerp erects cenotaph for deceased Congolese from 1894 World Exposition.
• ANTWERP | Final design Linkeroever Scheldt Banks South approved.
• ANTWERP | Preliminary design of Ringpark ‘Cluster Centraal’ approved.
• Which flags get to fly at Antwerp City Hall?.
• ANTWERP | Market exploration questions the future of the Stadsschouwburg Theatre Building.
• Antwerp-South Railway Station and surroundings get makeover.
• ANTWERP | Northern Pavillion at Scheldt’s Northern Terrace gets revamp.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk).
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. Paul’s Church (Sint-Pauluskerk).
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Scheldekaaien or Scheldt Quays.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Zurenborg.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Cogels-Osylei between Berchem and Antwerp’s Zurenborg neighbourhood.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | De Gerlachekaai at the Scheldt.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Sint-Andriesplein.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Borgerhout.
• Rainbow zebra crossings of Antwerp.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Berchem.
• Antwerp designs future of Scheldt Left Bank riverside.
• ANTWERP | Major revamp of the Meirbrug – Suikerrui – Scheldt Quays axis to complete the Via Sinjoor.
• ANTWERP | Looking for Linkeroever Railway Station.
• PHOTOS | Het Steen, Antwerp’s new Visitor Centre.
• VIDEO | Walking the future Spoorpark between Zurenborg (Antwerp) and Borgerhout.
• 5 spots in Antwerp to soak up the sun for free.