Early December 2024, I had planned a street art walk in Roeselare. I found the walk on the city's tourist website, which highlights works of art that, according to street art expert and Roeselare resident Nik Brouckaert, you shouldn't miss.
I wanted to let myself surprised, rather then focussing too much on the artworks suggested in the brochure. The printed route map I used as a guidance. The nearest point of the trail was about a kilometer walk from my accommodation. And the planned route being 7 kilometers, I estimated it would take me no longer than 2 hours to complete it. In the end this was an misjudgement, as there was so much more to see and discover.
In the Sint-Sebastiaanspark, I found myself staring curiously at an iron structure with pins when someone asked me whether I needed some help. The man went on to explain that the structure was a popinjay mast and shared more about the tradition of archery in Roeselare and the surrounding area
It was a cold but beautiful Sunday morning, ideal to shoot some nice pictures of the rising sun along the banks of the river Mandel. And I was not the only one that morning. Several people were enjoying the morning sun.
Traditionally, Roeselare is a trading city and known as the Rodenbach city. You therefore will see several murals in the theme of Rodenbach during the walk but you also pass the Rodenbach brewery.
New to me was that the Rodenbach family had played a vital role in the Belgian revolution and that there were some famous writers within the family. You have for example 'Dichter bij Rodenbach' a digital experience route around Albrecht Rodenbach (1856-1880), a student leader, poet and writer from Roeselare. It was him who made from Roeselare the Rodenbach city.
I also pass KOERS, the museum of cycle racing. Here too you find a mural, on which Lotte Kopecky, a Belgian multiple world champion on the track, has also been immortalised since August 2023.
All the art pieces on the route are definitely worth seeing. My personal two are:
- the wall in the Vaartstraat, painted by Jonkmuur at the request of a resident of the 'Krottegem district' who had received a budget to brighten up the district. What a great idea to do this with graffiti!
- the creation of Bué de Warrior in the Spinnersstraat, whose real name is Dave De Rop. He also is the grandson of one of the first employees of Willy Vandersteen, well-known as the creator and original artist of the Belgian 'Spike and Suzy' comics
In the street art app you will discover more gems in Roeselare and other cities all over the world.
