In Flanders' Fields: Postcolonialism, Multiculturalism And The Limits Of Tolerance

Abstract

In his Mwana Kitoko series of paintings Luc Tuymans reflects critically on Belgium’s colonial past. The same critical revisionism is also present in the non-fiction and fiction works written by Lieve Joris and in the history books by Daniel Vangroenweghe. In the recently published and widely acclaimed El Negro en ik by Frank Westerman the author provides an eye-opening overview of the racial thinking in Europe during the 19th and 20th century. Lately however, the confrontation of the European with the other has shifted to Europe. In books such as Los by Tom Naegels, De ontelbaren by Elvis Peeters or Fort Europa. Hooglied van versplintering by Tom Lanoye different perspectives on the multicultural society are provided. Simultaneously Europe is also rediscovering and revaluing its roots. A more nuanced picture of Europe’s colonial past is emerging in the exhibition Het geheugen van Congo. De koloniale tijd or in the novelette De trousse by Leo Pleysier.