Reclaming the Body: Decolonisation through Movement
Published by Communication
Posted on June 18, 2025
On May 31, 2025, S-Com aisbl held the second workshop of the UDEW (Urban Decolonization Walks in Europe) series in the symbolic setting of Square Patrice Lumumba in Brussels. Titled “Reclaiming the Body: Decolonisation Through Movement“, this session offered a unique and embodied approach to decolonial reflection, emphasizing the connection between urban space and physical presence. The event was facilitated by Amal Santini and brought together a small group of engaged participants.
Embodied Histories in a Charged Urban Space
The workshop began with a presentation of the UDEW project and an introduction to Square Lumumba as a meaningful site for anti-colonial reflection and to the figure of Patrice Lumumba as a key protagonist in Congo’s decolonisation process. Participants were invited to ground themselves in the space and express their initial feelings through movement, building a visceral connection between body, space, and memory.
This led into a collective reflection on the concept of decolonisation as a bodily process. The facilitator guided the group through examples of artistic and activist uses of movement as a tool for reclaiming urban narratives. Participants were encouraged to share their thoughts and relate the discussion to their personal and cultural experiences of space.
From Silence to Awareness: Mapping Emotions in Public Space
The central moment of the workshop was a silent march through sites previously identified by the UDEW mapping activity. In this contemplative exercise, participants moved through the city while paying close attention to their bodily sensations and emotional responses. Using a symbolic gesture, they marked maps with stickers representing emotions—anger, calm, empowerment, sadness, and awareness—corresponding to how they experienced each space.
This multisensory activity allowed participants to shift from passive observation to embodied critique, highlighting the often-overlooked impact of colonial legacies on how we inhabit and perceive public space.
The workshop concluded with a collective reflection. Participants explored how movement, memory, and spatial awareness intersect in the process of decolonisation. While some challenges emerged—particularly the constraints of working in a busy public space and the limited time for deep engagement—the atmosphere was open and encouraging. Participants voiced appreciation for the creative format and expressed a strong desire for more time to discuss and explore.
By linking bodily experience with critical thinking, this workshop offered an alternative and affective path to understanding decolonisation. It demonstrated that reclaiming public space is not just a political or intellectual act, but also an embodied one—rooted in how we move, feel, and connect. The UDEW project continues to explore such innovative methodologies, fostering inclusive, anti-racist practices in urban environments across Europe.
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