After three years of intensive work and the collection of 500 voices in its most representative way, we have shared the insights and narratives that illuminate the essence of Brussels through the stories of its residents. This project goes beyond mere documentation, it represents a comprehensive exploration of the diverse experiences and the ‘new us’ that shape our community.

We invite everyone to engage with our human archive, a rich repository comprising 30.000 minutes of audio interviews and 15.000 pages of transcripts. With 1000 keywords encapsulating the multifaceted nature of Brussels, this archive serves as a valuable resource for artistic creation, storytelling, policy-making, and academic research. This is an opportunity to delve into the heart of our city and draw inspiration from the lived experiences of its inhabitants.

✨ Our trilingual booklet presents fragments from a selection of participants’ interviews, offering insights into their traditions, preferences, disappointments, and aspirations for the future. We have endeavoured to capture the essence of the “us” that emerges from these individual narratives, creating a publicly accessible archive that reflects the collective voice of Brussels.

✨With a gathering we expressed our gratitude to our dedicated team: Mouna Achhab, Stephanie Lemmens, Astrid Begenyeza, and Mathilde de Kerchove together with team bna-bbot. We also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our 300 volunteers, out heritage brokers, and every individual who generously shared their stories with us, they are the foundation of this adventure.

As we conclude this chapter, we encourage you to explore our work and the stories of Brussels. Dive into our human archive and the booklet on www.thisisus.brussels, follow us on Instagram and watch our documentary!

Together, let us continue to find connections and discover new dimensions of “us” in our vibrant region of Brussels.