Dark memories brought up for Swedes in Brussels

For a whole year, the Swedes in Belgium had been charging to cheer on Sweden in the EC qualifiers on “home ground”.

So everything ended in terror – and dark memories from the past.

– We will be extra vigilant, says the Church of Sweden in Brussels.

Scores of Swedes living in Brussels had tickets for the football match at the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday. They got to watch the game for one half, but then had to wait in uncertainty to get home, as the police continued to search for the man who shot dead two Swedish supporters earlier in the evening.

The next day was heavy and long for many, with schools closed and work from home, for safety reasons.

– You were very tired when the adrenaline wore off and you came home from the arena and hadn’t slept much, says Viktor Nilsson, intern in the EU Parliament and resident in Brussels since last summer.

Memories from 2016

On Wednesday, Nilsson was among the Swedes who were invited to the Church of Sweden to meet Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) after the terrorist attack.

– It was very much appreciated. There are many in town who were involved in the last attack and for many it brings back memories. It creates anxiety and fear in many people and then it can be nice to be able to share it with someone else, says vicar Fredrik Ollila.

By the “last attack” he means the terror in March 2016 when three suicide bombers blew themselves up in one of Brussels’ subway stations and outside the city’s airport in Zaventem.

Then 32 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Belgium was badly shaken.

Lowered flag

For many Swedes, it is now even worse as Swedes are specifically seen as a target. The Church of Sweden was already asked last summer to take down its Swedish flag and has now also taken down the sign.

In addition, they had to remain closed on Tuesday after the attack on the football fans. However, the pastor is very happy to be able to open again.

– We have good contact with the Belgian police, so we follow the advice and recommendations we receive from them. Before the opening (after the crime on Monday), they have said that there is no threat to us in particular and we feel safe with that. However, we came to be extra vigilant and careful, of course, says Ollila.

“Eyes open”

Taking pride in your Swedishness abroad is no longer at all obvious, given the terrorist threat after the Koran burnings.

The EU’s interior commissioner Ylva Johansson – also resident in Brussels – is nevertheless one of those who think that you can very well continue to dress in, for example, blue and yellow football shirts.

– Yes I think so. We should be proud to be Swedes and to show that we are Swedes, she says in connection with the memorial ceremony held for the latest terror victims.

After all, the intern Viktor Nilsson feels safe in Brussels, even if he will be more cautious in the future.

– But you can’t put your whole life on hold and choose not to do things and not go outside because there is a threat image. If you’re careful and keep your eyes open, it’s easy, says Nilsson in Brussels.

FACTTerror in Belgium

Read more