Fernando Pessoa

The monument in this triangular square represents the great Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935). He wrote not only under his own name but also under heteronyms: in the name of imaginary poets and philosophers. A statue of Pessoa in Brussels? In the 1950s, an important community of Portuguese workers settled in this neighborhood, coming here to work in the industry to escape the poverty in their country. In the side streets around the square, you can still find many Portuguese cafés and restaurants, as well as a bakery. Because Flagey Square is close to the European district, these Portuguese workers were joined by highly educated compatriots and other Europeans. The French, for example, are also very well represented here.

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