Midden februari staat er iets bijzonders te gebeuren in het hartje van Ieper. Na maanden restaureren, verdwijnen de stellingen rondom de bekende Belforttoren. Het stokpaardjedraakje van de toren? Margriet de Belfortdraak die een boodschap heeft voor de Ieperlingen van de toekomst.
Since October 2020, there is little to see of Ypres' magnificent Belfry . The tower was up to its spire in the scaffolding. The beloved dragon Marguerite took shelter in the Ypres Museum during the restoration. The 49 (!) bells of the carillon also had to make way for the works. After the return of the bells and Margriet, it is now finally time for the unveiling of the "new" Belfry. From 15 February onwards, the Belfry tower will once again be visible in all its glory.
The Belfry Cats
For the restoration of the Belfry, the city counted on the population in and around Ypres. On the frieze of the tower, there are cups that the workmen restored to their original state. However, three of those statues were so worn that the team of architects were guessing at their original form. Therefore the town issued a general call for the design of a cat's head. A nice reference to Ypres as cat city.
In clay, in stone or with a 3D print: whoever wanted to could design a cat's head. In the end, the restoration team chose three designs in collaboration with the Yper Museum:
- Sleeping Cat - designed by Chihiro Kondo
- Proud Housecat - Designed by Marc Leplae
- Cheeky Cat - designed by Manuel Mourisse
Belfry dragon Marguerite
Is there a message from our ancestors hidden in the belly of Margriet? The Yper Museum will have an answer to that question in the autumn of 2021. Unfortunately, no message. However, that did not stop the team from trying to put a message in the belly of the golden dragon themselves. The Yper Museum also organised a competition for this.
In total, 19 people from Ypres sent in a tweet . From these, three were chosen and in the end it was up to the Ypres people themselves to choose the winning tweet. Ivan Vanherpe is the man who speaks to future generations:
Elm there,
on the scales of my body
you can feel the calluses of time,
claws and scratches
stories of struggle and pain.
In my gaze you can read
recovery and hope,
resilience of generations,
rebuilding, pain and strength,
proud tentacles of struggle.
Before Margriet nibbled this beautiful message, it underwent a thorough overhaul. The dragon was refurbished here and there and covered with gold leaf. Since 1 December, it has once again adorned the top of the Belfry Tower.
After months of carpentry, jointing and painting, the Belfry, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, will be able to be admired in its new guise from 15 February onwards. The skyline of Ypres will be complete again!
