The MigratieMuseumMigration in Molenbeek opened its doors on 12 October 2019.

This museum does not tell The Story of migration in Brussels. It honours the many migrants who have helped to shape Brussels.
Today, 184 nationalities live together in Brussels. Together they form this cosmopolitan region. The Belgians form the largest group, followed by the French, the Romanians and the Moroccans. Every day new people arrive and others leave. They all have their dreams, hopes and stories. These stories colour the story of Brussels.

The MigratieMuseumMigration gives a permanent home to the stories of the first generation of guest workers, of the earliest inhabitants of the Petit-Château, of the expats, the war refugees, the Europeans who move freely within the EU and many others. It is a warm environment where visitors can discover Brussels and the lives of others through memories and souvenirs. Above all, it is a museum with plenty of room to share your own story.

The MigratieMuseumMigration will never be finished. In this way, the museum is also a symbol of the constant dynamism of Brussels.

AN EMPATHIC MUSEUM
Inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s modest museum manifesto, the MigratieMuseumMigration radically opts for the power and strength of personal stories. Memories, photos and souvenirs are central. The warm presentation evokes memories in the visitor, which in turn can be shared.

Thanks to this sense of recognition, the visitor knows that his/her story is recognised as part of the great Brussels story.

A PARTICIPATORY MUSEUM
The MigratieMuseumMigration is there for and by people. It is the result of an intensive process with many inhabitants of Brussels. The museum also challenges the visitor to become part of the museum. He/she contributes to a colourful installation or becomes part of the face of Brussels.

The museum asks for a reaction, a dialogue, a pleasant conversation. In this way, each visitor adds his or her own layer of meaning.

AN INFORMATIVE MUSEUM
In the MigratieMuseumMigration the visitor is introduced to the post-war waves of migration to Brussels.

A clear digital application shows the demographic evolution of the region. There is an educational offer tailored to the needs of secondary schools and the final years of primary education

A HOSPITABLE MUSEUM
The MigratieMuseumMigration and the municipality of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek have worked together to develop the garden into a green zone in a grey neighbourhood. Like the ground floor, the garden is freely accessible during the museum’s opening hours. The garden also has an authentic Italian wood-burning oven that will burn regularly.

AN ECOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The solar panels on the roof of the MigratieMuseumMigration generate a lot of solar energy, which is used for lighting, electrical appliances, ventilation and heating.

Average production per month 2021 :
1204 kWh

Average reduction of CO₂ emissions per month 2021 :
577.5 kg

Size of photovoltaic installation :
14910 Wp

’MMM = H₂O Sustainability’
Our water collectors, on the roof of the museum and in our garden, provide all the H₂O we need to water our beautiful plants ...and to flush our toilets !

All products used in the museum for cleaning, hygiene, maintenance, consumption and toilets are environmentally friendly (plant-based in recyclable containers and packaging).

All rooms are systematically and regularly ventilated. CO₂ levels are measured continuously, as are TVOC and HCHO levels.

Waste is carefully sorted (PMC, paper, general waste).

The buildings meet the insulation requirements of new buildings.

High-performance ventilation and low-temperature heating. Underfloor heating was chosen for the museum. This keeps the rooms free of all heating appliances. A meter indicates the quality of the air, so that adjustments can be made if necessary.