Exploring Belgium's Decaying Justice Palace: A Photo Story
Almost a year ago, I had the opportunity to visit the majestic Palace of Justice in Brussels alongside the talented writing journalist Laura Dubois from the Financial Times for this assignment.
Our experience included an extended and insightful tour led by Luc Hennart, allowing us to delve deeper into this colossal structure that often feels like a grand dream of Giant Leopold II.
What we witnessed inside was unbelievable, showcasing both the architectural marvels and the intriguing stories embedded within its walls.
Today finally marks the publication of our story, probably timed with a nationwide pause in the justice system due to protest actions taken by magistrates in Belgium, who are rising with concerns regarding the critical financing of the justice system.
Broken Justice
The palace of Justice in the Financial Times
photography Sander de Wilde
Should this iconic building stay in use for the justice system?
Is this building an example of the justice system in Belgium?
The reportage published in the Financial Times ends with a quote by Mr Hennart concerning the restoration of the outside of the building, and all the problems at the inside of the building and of the entire justice system in Belgium.
The entire story is behind a paywall (of course, journalist need to earn a living too) but here are some screenshots of it or maybe you can find a paper version.
More photos of the Palace of Justice
When I photograph a story, I strive to provide the photo editors with a well-edited selection of diverse and compelling images that they can use to effectively illustrate the narrative. Often, they choose specific images for print publications while opting for different ones for the online version. Down below, you will find a selection of images from the shoot that unfortunately didn’t make it into the published article. Remember, all images can always be found at my Belgian photo agency, ID PHOTOAGENCY, where there’s a treasure trove of visual storytelling waiting to be discovered!
