de waarheidscommissie

The Truth Commission

2013 - 2018

In The Truth Commission, Action Zoo Humain asks aloud whether many of today's social debates do not originate from a specific chapter in Belgian colonial history: the exhibition of “exotic” people during world expos.

Until a century ago, Flanders and Belgium were the infamous champions in the exhibition of 'exotics' in zoo-like conditions, attracting millions of visitors. Just think of the 144 Congolese in Antwerp (1894), the 270 Congolese in Brussels (1897), or even the 128 Senegalese and 60 Filipinos during the World's Fair in Ghent (1913) who were literally or imaginarily presented in cages. In these conditions, many of the exhibited people died. The toll of the world exhibitions, often regarded as 'amusing, educational events that sought to educate people about the state of (Western) civilization', was high. The exhibition of 'exotics' was part of a then prevailing racist discourse that spread throughout the rest of Europe. In addition, this discourse was fueled by the government, the Catholic Church, academics and artists.

The Truth Commission combines dance, theatre and testimonies into a unique experience and examines the extent to which the zoo humain still influences social thinking today. Relive this historic event and immerse yourself in the emotional world of the organisers, the peoples on display and the eager visitors. Hear their testimonies in words, dance and music. The Truth Commission has been performed in Ghent (2013), Cape Town (2014), Antwerp (2016) and Mechelen (2017) and in the Belgian Senate, Brussels (2018).

Senate Brussels (2018)

Antwerp & Mechelen (2016-2017)

South-Africa (2014)

Ghent (2013)

Bruzz (BE)

Brussels
It has been 60 years since Congolese and other Africans were put on display in a fake village to entertain the public during Expo '58. Brussels Mayor Close (PS) has now apologised for this. 'More attention must be paid to the history of colonisation in education.
De Wereld Morgen (BE)

Brussels
More than 500 spectators in the Senate voted on five policy recommendations for dealing with Belgium's colonial past.
Forum+ (BE)

Ghent
The dramaturgical interventions intelligently encourage reflection on the way in which reality appears to us in and through its staging. This gives the performance a strong self-reflective dimension.
De Wereld Morgen (BE)

South Africa
Is it a theatre production, a performance, or a genuine truth commission? The terminology is irrelevant. It is an event that leaves the participants feeling several punches in the gut.
Etcetera (BE)

Stereotypes are used, and you either go along with them or get annoyed, until you realise that they are being deconstructed through their use, creating space for a theory and practice that breaks through the stereotypes.
HET NIEUWSBLAD (BE)

The Ben Chikha brothers manage to open up a serious debate in a light-hearted manner, in tightly measured arguments supplemented with a few video clips and African musical interludes.

BELGIAN SENATE IN BRUSSELS (2018)

Are the scars of Belgium's colonial history still visible in our capital today? Is the situation in Maximilian Park gradually turning into a new human zoo? Who actually owns the artworks in the AfricaMuseum? Sixty years after Expo '58, is the zoo humain more alive than ever? With Annemie Neyts as chair, a committee of artists, historians, scientists and witnesses in the Belgian Senate is searching for The Truth.

Both during the Brussels World Exhibition of 1897 and at Expo “58, Congolese people from Belgian Congo and other Africans were put on display in fake villages to entertain the public as living attractions. They re-enacted 'authentic” rituals while the white audience looked on.

While the streets of Brussels are becoming increasingly colourful today, debates about migration and racism are becoming heated.

Sixty years after Expo '58, we stand in the North Station and Maximilian Park once again, looking at each other with wide eyes. Do we view the refugees and migrants on our streets today differently than the people of Brussels viewed the Congolese people on display in 1958? Are the phenomenon of the zoo humain and the mechanism of stereotypical image formation that accompanies it still relevant today? Has the zoo humain penetrated our daily reality?

In December 2018, Action Zoo Humain is once again conducting artistic research into the exhibition of people at world expos in the past. Were the exotic villages degrading and racist, or were they a model of cultural exchange? Take a seat in the plenary chamber of the Senate and join us in our search for The Truth.

Direction Chokri & Zouzou Ben Chikha
Direction head Chokri Ben Chikha
With and by Gia Abrassart, prof. dr. Kevin Absillis (UA), prof. dr. Zana Aziza Etambala (KMMA), dr. Bambi Ceuppens (KMMA), Chokri Ben Chikha, Sanderijn Helsen, Chantal Loïal, Nabil Mallat, Starlette Mathata-Mathas, Moussa N’Diaye, Annemie Neyts, Dahlia Pessemiers-Benamar, Marijke Pinoy, Christophe Vekeman
Production manager Sietske de Vries
Technical Niels Ieven
Production Action Zoo Humain
Coproduction KASK/School of Arts/HoGent
Partners Belgian Senate, BELvue museum, DeMens.nu, Koninklijk Instituut voor Midden-Afrika (KMMA), Muntpunt, NTGent
With support of the Flemish Government
With thanks to Bert Anciaux, dr. Karel Arnaut (KU Leuven), Koen Augustijnen, dr. Véronique Clette-Gakuba (ULB), dr. Maarten Couttenier (KMMA), prof. dr. Idesbald Goddeeris (KU Leuven),
The Truth Commission in the Belgian Senate is made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of Truth.
Thanks to Marjolijn de Vries, Casper de Vries, Ann Van Vaerenberg, Michiel Van Poucke, Sabien Vandewalle, Silke Vanbeselaere, Suzy Vanderbiesen, Katrijn D'hamers, Anne-Marie Segers, Bjorn Maes, Camille Bourgeus, Babs Verblackt, Bernard Lentulus, Katarzyna Ruchel-Stockmans, Guido Stockmans, Marco van Leeuwen, Marte, Charlotte De Ro, Eric Gysel, Ingeborg Vermeyen, Vormingplus Citizenne, Hand in Hand tegen racisme, Muntpunt, Brands & Stories

antwerpen & mechelen (2016-2017)

Direction Chokri & Zouzou Ben Chikha
Direction head Chokri Ben Chikha
With and by Chokri & Zouzou Ben Chikha, Dahlia Pessemiers-Benamar, Marijke Pinoy, Mourade Zeguendi, prof. em. Herman Balthazar, Chantal Loïal, Ilse Mariën, Moussa N'Diaye, Omar Ba, Tom Lanoye/Eric Kempeneers, dr. Zana Aziza Etambala (Koninklijk Instituut voor Midden-Afrika), prof. dr. Henk De Smaele (UA), prof. dr. Kevin Absillis (UA), Starlette Mathata-Mathas, Koen Augustijnen
Production manager Sietske de Vries
Technical Niels Ieven
Production Action Zoo Humain
Coproduction KC Vooruit, KASK/School of Arts/Hogent
Partners Cultuur District Antwerpen, ccBe, Kultuurfaktorij Monty, Mestizo Arts Festival, Arenberg
With support of the Flemish Governement, City of Antwerp

zuid-afrika, kaapstad (2014)

Direction Chokri & Zouzou Ben Chikha
Direction head Chokri Ben Chikha
With and by Tom Lanoye, prof. em. Herman Balthazar, Chokri & Zouzou Ben Chikha, Marijke Pinoy, Mourade Zeguendi, Chantal Loïal, Ilse Mariën, Annelies Verdoolaege (UGent), Josiane Kimbaut, Michael Olabode- Myslop Owa, Christopher Kudyahakuda Dirwe
Production Action Zoo Humain
Coproduction KC Vooruit, KASK/School of Arts/Hogent
Partner University of the Western Cape
With the support of the Flemish Government, the Province of East Flanders, the City of Ghent, Ghent University, the African Platform, the Buildings Agency, and the League for Human Rights

gent (2013)

Direction Chokri & Zouzou Ben Chikha
Direction head Chokri Ben Chikha
With and by prof. em. Herman Balthazar, Johan Braeckman (UGent), Youssou N'Dour (o.v.), Marijke Pinoy, Chokri & Zouzou Ben Chikha, Maimouna Diao, Kardinaal Danneels (o.v.), Mourade Zeguendi, Minister Bourgeois (o.v.), Ousmane N'Diaye, Koen Augustijnen, Ilse Mariën, Ben Benaouisse, Evelien Jonckheere (UGent), Moussa Nambé N'Diaye, Chantal Loial, Herwig Deweerdt (Cyriel Buysse Genootschap), Studenten KASK, Omar Ba (Afrikaans Platform), Annelies Verdoolaege (UGent)
Production Action Zoo Humain
Coproduction KC Vooruit, KASK/School of Arts/Hogent
Partners De Centrale, les ballets C de la B en CAMPO
With the support of the Flemish Government, the Province of East Flanders, the City of Ghent, Ghent University, the African Platform, the Buildings Agency, and the League for Human Rights