Vicki Hartlen - Delhi News-Record

Thursday April 28, 2005

“The Flemish Emigrant” sculpture has become the talk of the town.
More than 350 people attended the unveiling of sculpture at the Delhi Belgian Hall on April 3.
“It was an excellent evening,” said president Gaston Geysens. “We were very pleased with the turnout, especially considering the weather.”
“The Flemish Emigrant” is a sculpture made from bronzed metal and created by artist Patrick Steen of Leke, Belgium. The piece had been donated to the Delhi Belgian Club as a symbol that Flemish emigrants, who travelled to the “new world,” haven’t been forgotten.

The sculpture depicts a family waiting in Antwerp Belgium to board a ship from the Red Star Lines. The father has a suitcase, while the mother carries a small child on her hip. A boy stands off to the side with a bag, while a 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.
“This was something we were happy to have here,” said Geysens.

So happy in fact they planned the unveiling.
The morning of April 3, Geysens said he was awakened by an anxious call from his hall manager.
“They called to tell me they had no power,” recalled Geysens.
Geysens said he asked when it might be restored and was told they didn’t know.
“That was a scary day,” he said. “Not having any hydro and knowing that close to 400 tickets had already been sold for the event.”
Power was restored by 2 p.m. just before the opening of the unveiling.
“I was nervous, but it all came together,” said Geysens.
Although more dignitaries had planned to attend the unveiling, including the Belgian Consulate, Geysens said some travelling far distances simply couldn’t make it in.
“We had people like Mayor Rita Kalmbach, MPP Toby Barrett and other important people,” he said.
The evening began with a dinner and then focused on the unveiling of “The Flemish Emigrant.”
“Once we pulled off the veil all the people came running up and I’ve never seen so many camera flashes in all my life,” recalled Geysens.
In addition to pictures, Geysens said many in attendance shared their own personal experiences with emigrating.
“It was an evening not to be forgotten,” Geysens added.