Photo report: Beerlegem - Merelbeke trip

In Beerlegem (Zwalm), about 20 km from Ghent, there was an oak tree that had been felled by the storm. It was carefully placed, roots and all, on an old cart, honouring its crown, a cart made of oak, forged and welded steel and rubber lorry tyres. The wood of the cart must be much older than the tree we will transport with it.

Tree and cart. Both are bearers of time and silent witnesses in a story in which man steals the limelight. Grounded in a new story, we take them to their next destination." - Max Pairon

Max is researching the use of human power and old transport techniques in a new urban context. That silly Jan refers to the cart that was used in the past to transport tree trunks and other long objects such as tram rails and mill rods. 

With the 'exceptional transport' of this felled oak tree from the countryside through the historic centre of Ghent to its new destination in the creation and meeting place: the Koer, casual passers-by are invited to reflect on the question of how we as a community today (can) deal with raw materials and intangible heritage (craftsmanship, craft, technology, nature and agriculture) as a community today. 

The first part of the journey took place on 30 May 2021. The tree is now lying on a vacant lot along the Hundelgemsesteenweg near Sallemeulekouter, Merelbeke, waiting for the journey to continue. 

Part I of this journey was made possible by the horsepower of Thorèse, Louise, Cithor and Lila and the manpower of: Corentin Hannon, Eva Fillet, Jade Fillet, Wiebe Moerman, Kasper Devos, Simon Allemeersch, Stefanie Claes, Pilou Claes Allemeersch, Diede Roosens, Sander De Cuyper, Amy Franceschini, Max Pairon, Leendert Van Accoleyen, Jorne Van Accoleyen, Menzo Kircz, Simon Van Schuylenbergh, Michèle Vanvlasselaer, Lukas Pairon, Zoë Hoornaert, Vincent Focquet, Mathilde Pairon, Jako Jacobs, Renée Pevernagie, Reinout Dewulf, Carmen Landuyt, Wouter Hellin, Oscar Hellin Faes, Leon Hellin Faes, Lucien, Judith Vindevogel, Stef Depover, Lhoussaine Aamria, Maarten De Vrieze, Alina Kneepkens, Leontien Allemeersch, Kim Snauwaert, Ewoud Vermote, Count d'Ursel, Countess d'Ursel, Sam Bogaerts, Ann D'Haese, Eva Samyn, Carmine De Swerts, Guido Meersman, Jef Seghers, Samira El Khadraoui, Joes Roosens, Febe Roosens, Benoît Crucifix, David Doménech, Lisette Willems, Karolien Soete, Eric Hoefman, Bea Hoefman, Lode Vranken, Mark Triest, Eline Vermeir, Laurens Tas, Eline Vyncke, Haider Khafaji, Richir Christophe, Alain Rubais, Jérôme Rubais, Pascal Depaepe, Jack Wauthier and Bruno Van Driessche.