The Return of Hergé’s Bust to Etterbeek

This return marks the end of a period of uncertainty and safety work, and once again celebrates the deep bond between Hergé and this neighborhood where he spent much of his childhood.

Installed in 2019, Hergé’s bust was removed in 2023 following several acts of vandalism. The glass dome that protected the sculpture had been damaged with crowbars, and trash had been stuffed into its crevices. To prevent further degradation, the municipality decided to temporarily take the work out of public view.

The municipality of Etterbeek took time and care to design a new protective case - sturdier and better suited to the environment. The process took longer than expected, aiming to ensure the sculpture’s security while preserving its integration into the public space. The bust was officially reinstalled on July 1st, 2025, during a friendly neighborhood event attended by local residents.

The reinstallation of the bust is more than a symbolic gesture of heritage — it reflects a broader commitment to highlighting Hergé’s cultural legacy at the very heart of Etterbeek. Indeed, Georges Remi - better known as Hergé - was born in this Brussels municipality in 1907 and spent most of his childhood there. This close connection between the artist and the neighborhood gives Place de Theux its full legitimacy as the home of this sculpture by Nat Neujean.