Vicki Hartlen - Delhi News-Record
Thursday March 24, 2005

Gaston Geysens can’t wait for the unveiling of The Flemish Emigrant.
The Flemish Emigrant is a piece of artwork created by artist Patrick Steen, from Leke, Belgium, which has been generously given to the Delhi Belgian Club.
An unveiling is set for April 3 at the Belgian Club beginning at 4:30 p.m.
“This is a great piece of artwork to have,” said Geysens, as he explained the importance of the piece. “This sculpture represents everything that emigrants had to face when coming to North America.”
Ludwig and Doreen Vandenbussche, also of Leke, Belgium, have spent 25 years occupied with the study of Flemish emigration to Nord America – or Canada and the United States.
The couple thought there was not enough attention given to the Flemish people, who did emigrate, so they set up a private campaign.

“They both wanted to see this artwork realized,” said Geysens.
With the funding in place the couple commissioned Steen for the job.
The end result was a sculpture made of recyclable material and metal, which has been bronzed. It sits 1.55 by 0.90 by 1.50 metres and weighs 150 kilograms.
“Its not light by any means,” said Marc VandenBussche, who travelled to Washington to pick up the sculpture.
The sculpture depicts a family waiting on the Rijnpier in Antwerp, Belgium, waiting to board a ship from the Red Star Lines. The father has a suitcase, while the mother with her bonnet carries a small child on her hip. A boy stands off to the side with a bag, while girl stands to the other side with another bag.
Beyond the family is a city skyline, that isn’t New York or Toronto, but instead represents any North American city. Separating the family and the city is a water tank which represents the ocean.
“Imagine what the families would have been thinking at that time,” said VandenBussche. “I can’t even imagine bringing all your belongings with you in one bag and setting off for the unknown. It must have been a scary time, but they did it.”
While Geysens said many Norfolk residents have immigrants in their past, the sculpture should not only appeal to Belgians, but to everyone.
“We were all had to face similar challenges,” said Geysens, who himself emigrated at 23 years of age. “We want people to come to the unveiling and share their stories with each other.”