“Culture may not generate profit, but it does create human, economic and social wealth.”
Director of the non-profit MNEMA since May 2025, Axelle van Harten personifies a new generation of cultural leaders: committed, curious and resolutely people-centred. La Cité Miroir is a former thermal complex in Liege that has become a major centre for memory, culture and citizenship, and at its helm, Axelle van Harten is striving to strike a balance “between past, present and future, through a range of events and exhibitions.”
She used to come to this place in her youth. Today, she considers it an ideal forum for expression, where values and transmission intersect. “What has struck me is the energy and passion I see in the teams working here. Every project, every exhibition carries a sense of collective commitment.”
With nearly 70,000 visitors a year, La Cité Miroir’s influence extends far beyond Liege. By opening up more to international and intercultural dialogue, Axelle van Harten wants to emphasise that Wallonia is a place of living culture, a culture that questions, connects and transforms.
La Cité Miroir is also home to a former air-raid shelter, a listed Walloon heritage site. It is currently being renovated and is set to offer a new immersive experience and a new aspect to discover.
WAB Magazine