The Sonian Forest (Forêt de Soignes) is a peri-urban woodland spanning approximately 4,500 hectares, shared among Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia. Shaped and reshaped by human intervention over centuries, the forest still bears the imprint of the 19th century, most notably in its iconic beech cathedral (la hêtraie cathédrale). Majestic yet fragile, this natural architecture faces an uncertain future, with climate change threatening its very survival.
Those who work intimately with the land understand a profound truth: when humanity uproots itself, it loses touch with its own essence. We impose our fleeting temporal logic on a longevity that far surpasses us.
In a world consumed by speed, the forest stands as a patient counterpoint—a testament to stillness and a profound connection to the present moment.
