Ommegang à Bruxelles 1931

Jules de Bruycker created this etching, titled "Ommegang à Bruxelles," portraying a historical festival in Brussels. The most striking element is the giant horse, reminiscent of the Trojan Horse. But look closer, and we see it is flanked by a dragon, a symbol frequently linked to the legend of Saint George, often evoked in festival pageantry. The Ommegang festival itself, with its parades and historical reenactments, mirrors the way ancient myths and symbols are kept alive, transforming through generations. Consider the dragon: in ancient lore, it embodies chaos and destruction, yet here, it's a participant in a civic celebration. The dragon’s presence evokes a sense of cultural memory, reminding us how collective fears and triumphs are sublimated into ritual. These symbols resonate with us, not just intellectually, but emotionally, tapping into our subconscious understanding of history and myth. Notice how these symbols, once potent with original meaning, evolve and adapt, finding new life in communal celebrations. The Ommegang, therefore, is more than a festival. It is a living, breathing testament to the cyclical nature of symbols, their ability to resurface, transform, and engage us in a continuous dialogue with the past.