1914-1918 : The occupation

Colonists

Two middle-aged men pull a harrow to dig furrows. The picture was taken in June 1915 at Josaphat Park in Schaerbeek. This family playground was also turned into a vegetable garden. Even though the capital still had a look of countryside, not all the citizens could find a plot in which to cultivate as a mean to fight scarcity. Supported by communal authorities, the habitants organized the exploitation of abandoned plots. They were called “colonists”.