A series of engraved plaques featuring proverbs in Walloon have been installed in the Liège city centre as part of an effort to preserve the Walloon language.
The idea is also to enhance the city’s tourist appeal, Fabrice Drèze, Liège’s alderman for commercial and tourist attractiveness, said on Thursday at the inauguration of the project, created in collaboration with the Liège Demain non-profit organisation.
The project consists of twelve plaques made from SprimontBlue stone, starting in front of the Halle aux Viandes, home to the city's tourist office. “It’s a prestigious location I hope to bring to life through various initiatives,” Drèze said at the inauguration ceremony, held at the site of the first plaque.
The other plaques are situated at various locations within the city centre, including Cathedral Square, near the Opera House, and the Palace of the Prince-Bishops.
Sculptor Jozia Gozdz engraved the proverbs in Walloon and golden letters.
The proverbs, connected to each plaque's location, were written with the help of a local advocate for the Walloon language, Paul-Henri Thomsin.
Anyone interested in translations of the proverbs on the plaques, three of which are still seeking sponsors, can find them on the www.liegedemain.be website.
There are plans to potentially extend the plaque trail towards Outremeuse.
