What could eighteenth-century forest workers, Freemasons and defenders of nature possibly have in common? Far more than one might imagine. We invite you to explore a fascinating and little-known history: that of the forest lodges, where the forest becomes a place of encounter, fraternity and initiation. In the eighteenth century, notables, noblemen, clergymen and members of the middle class took over the world of the charcoal burners and wood splitters. They adopted their customs, rituals and symbols, and gave them an initiatory dimension. Rather than following a conventional chronology, the exhibition sets out from a pressing contemporary question: what place do human beings occupy within nature, and what is their responsibility for its preservation? Forests, biodiversity, ecosystems and the commitment of Masonic associations are all brought to the fore. In collaboration with the Horteco horticultural school in Vilvoorde, the museum’s glass roof is transformed into a genuine Forest Lodge, complete with its symbols, customs and rituals. Between the real forest and the symbolic forest, the exhibition sets nature and Masonic history in dialogue. What can these ancient traditions still teach us? And what do we wish to pass on to future generations?
Forest Lodges : when freemasonry goes green
Location: Rue de Laeken, 73, 1000 Brussels
