The archives, objects and documents, of and about Father Damien are entered into the list of Flemish Masterworks, a list containing tangible cultural heritage that enjoys special protection. This decision was taken by Joke Schauvliege (CD & V), Flemish Minister of Culture, covering letters, photographs and official documents of and about Father Damien.
In the collection of Joseph De Veuster, known as Father Damien (1840-1889), among other things, are documents and materials relating to his stay in Hawaii and Molokai (1863-1889). The collection also consists of paintings and drawings by English artist Edward Clifford (1844-1907), whom Father Damien met in 1868 in the leper colony of Kalaupapa, Hawaii.
According to Minister Schauvliege objects and documents in the collection are "unique witnesses" about the life of the canonized Father Damien. "On top of something in memory of his missionary work and the process of canonization, as well as testimony of missionary work in general, this archive is essential for our collective memory," said the minister of the Christian Democratic Party (CD & V for its acronym in Dutch).
So far the list of Flemish Masterpieces contains 397 individual objects and 38 collections.
12/02/2013