ABOUT

“ Sondje “ is a fictional collection based on the legend of the giants of Charleroi, these emblematic figures of the carnival and Walloon festivals. But also a personification of the past, these great silhouettes tell the evolution of the city over the course of a century.

Charleroi is a Belgian city that has suffered a dizzying economic fall. In addition to being the social capital of the Walloon region, it is now recovering with a powerful cultural will. The " Sondje " saga is part of this lineage, questioning the deep meaning of myths in our societies while at the same time wanting to be an object of transmission of a certain " Carolo " culture (the people of Charleroi).

This project was nourished by a historical study of the city and its urban legends as well as by the meeting of inhabitants from different social backgrounds. " Sondje " is an imaginary saga based on the history of the giants. This false legend full of " Carolos " symbols gives the possibility to the new generations to appropriate their folklore.

Each giant represents a profession or a person who was important for the city of Charleroi. Their order of appearance is spread over a hundred years; the last giant dates from 2016. In their own way, they convey the history of a city and a country.

The legend, invented, written and illustrated, takes its final form in a graphic story book.

Publisher : Du Noir Sous Les Ongles