Here you can see how the old Leie river and the village centre of Machelen are intertwined. Yet this idyllic view was nearly lost forever.

In the summer of 1971, a decision was made to connect the Leie to the Schipdonk Canal in order to clean up the river, which had been polluted by the flax industry. There were plans to fill in the old branch of the Leie with the excavated soil, thereby creating more space in the village for lucrative farming or construction. Raveel realised that this would irreparably damage the authentic character of Machelen. At the invitation of a group of activists, Raveel resisted with a work of art and an action aimed at pricking the conscience of the public and the government. He made a raft out of blue plastic bags and placed a painting on top of it.

On 19 August 1971, he launches the raft. The structure is pulled by boat across the Leie via Astene, Deurle, Sint-Martens-Latem, Sint-Martens-Leerne and Baarle to Afsnee, attracting great interest from the public and the press. Hundreds of people gathered along the banks, and the event even made the news. Although the municipal council had already started the works, the then Minister of Public Works put a stop to them in November 1971. Mission accomplished!

Raveel's unique art action not only determined the appearance of Machelen, but also demonstrates once again how closely his art and the village are intertwined.

-> Fancy an adventure? You can also take the ferry to the other side of the river.