Zenne River

STILL HERE – Tribute to the Zenne River

How does water flow and weaves a sense of togetherness through and between human and more-than-human? Do we need other ways of making justice and of care for the Z(S)enne River? How do we weave a declaration for all living species that includes a proof of evidence of our relationship Z(S)enne river as allies?

STILL HERE – Tribute to the Z(S)enne River is a new study case of Natural Contract Lab between 2023-26. This long-term commitment will enable a systemic relationship with the river’s ecosystem and local communities to weave a declaration for the living entities of the river and a federation for Zenne guardians for the recognition of its rights. The project will cross Wallonia, Brussels and Flanders – from the source of the Zenne in Soignies to its bifurcation at the Zennegat in Mechelen.

During the first two years of STILL HERE, the transdisciplinary collective will be learning and exchanging with people and species along the river in an attempt to remember and get to know who the Z(S)enne river is, and how we can become its allies as guardians. The ambition is to form a federation of Zenne guardians for its legal recognition in the Belgian constitution. During three years there will be moments of public sharing along the river, walking-with z(s)enne, River Agoras and river guardians learning spaces. The last year will be a gesture of care to support the reopening of a part of the Zenne in Brussels.

NCL activates their practice through a methodology of walking-with the river, where they bring people close to the river to remember and activate a sense of care. During these walks the choreography weaves moments of care with sensorial scores, and moments of activation with participatory circles where people contribute with personal stories to reweave a storyline of the river through their personal memories, harms, losses and stories. During these walks we develop a juridical sensorial cartography that serves as a proof of evidence of our relationship with Z(S)enne stewards.

Z(S)enne team: Maria Lucia Cruz Correia (artist) vinny jones (sensory scenography/dramaturgy) Brunilda Pali (restorative justice), Lode Vranken(design/philosophy), Margarida Mendes (research/sonic guidance) Saartje Monden( River Pedagogies) Flore Herman (Artistic assistant) Production: Hiros Coproduction: VierNulVier, Workspacebrussels, Kanal Centre Pompidou, LUCA School of Arts Antwerpen, UGent: Research Centre S:PAM (Studies in Performing Arts & Media) Supported by: Zenne Archives of Rijksarchief Brussel (BE), European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) Local partners: Gemeenschapscentrum De Rinck,...