Jardim da Cordoaria receives sculptures by Belgian artist Dirk Lamote

It is named "The Escape – A Fuga", authorship of the Belgian artist Dirk Lamote, and can already be appreciated in the lake in Jardim João Chagas (Jardim da Cordoaria). The new set of sculptures consist of the work “The Escape” and two more pieces called "The Crossing – The Journey". It represents the testimony of the friendship between Belgian and Portuguese, at a time when Belgium assumes the presidency of the European Union (EU).

“This site [Jardim João Chagas] is wonderful and now has this sculptural piece that greatly ennobles the city, giving a great dimension to this very special garden”, said the Mayor, during the inauguration of “Escape”, by the Belgian sculptor Dirk Lamote.

In the company of the ambassador of Belgium in Portugal, Serge Wauthier, and the creator of the work, Rui Moreira recalled the ancient connection of Porto to that country, especially to the Flanders region, through traditional trade. “A truly European country, which knows better than anyone, the hardships, of being European”, he said.

“At a time when Europe is living a war scenario, in Ukraine, it is important that we know how to be together, to keep on believing in the European ideal”, highlighted the Mayor, assuring that “Porto wants to be an European, cosmopolitan city, where everyone likes to be treated well and where we like to be visited”.

“What better way to mark the friendship between Portugal and Belgium than to evoke the Portuguese emigration and its contribution to the European Union”, stood out the Belgian ambassador in our country.

The courage of those who emigrate

Taking the image of the “The Escape”, Serge Wauthier recalled that “the purpose of emigration is sometimes to escape. For example, from a hostile political environment or the atrocities of war, as is now happening in Ukraine”.

In an interpretation of the work, the Belgian diplomat recognized an important symbolic value: “I see the search for a better life and the heads of those who fight to stay afloat, as a reminder of the courage it takes to leave. The courage of those who emigrate, but also the contribution of emigrants, especially those of Portuguese descent, to shaping what European Union represents, today the”, he stood out.

The Belgian diplomat thanked the Municipality for all the support in installing the set of sculptures in Jardim da Cordoaria. “It was a pleasure to work with the Municipality of Porto. We worked so hard together, looking into the same direction, the achievement of this cultural and diplomatic project”, he added.

“The Escape” is a metaphor of our dreams

“The escape” is composed of three sculptures. Dirk Lamote explains: “Two swimmers make a journey that, for many, is a crossing. The third, the largest sculpture, is a man, raised on a shiny stainless-steel base. A base, like a throne. The arms open like wings, looking proudly ahead, with a huge desire to fly”.

For the Belgian sculptor, “the installation aims to be a metaphor of our dreams, for an ideal reality. Letting people to create their own stories, dream, and fantasize. This is my mission as an artist”.

Within the scope of the Belgian Presidency in the European Union, as a testimony to the friendship between the Belgian and Portuguese people, Belgian government representatives donated the set of sculptures to the Municipality of Porto.

Propriety of the Belgian State, more specifically the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, the works of art were donated in September 2023. Upon accepting the donation, the Municipal Executive mentioned that the set of sculptures would contribute to “enrich the public art collection of the Municipality of Porto and the public space”. At that time, it was also determined that the donated pieces would be placed in the lake of Jardim João Chagas.