Not only are they do they share the honour of being Belgian icons, the landmark Atomium and comic-strip heroes the Smurfs both date from 1958. As the Heysel site celebrates a year-long programme to mark its reopening in 2006 after large-scale renovation, it has revealed details of its partnership with another internationally-recognised Belgian symbol for a new range of anniversary souvenirs. The band of little people in blue – habiting a mushroom village – were the creation of Peyo, the pseudonym for cartoonist Pierre Culliford.
It is not the first time they have teamed up, said the Atomium. “In 2018, when they celebrated their 60th anniversary, the Smurfs gifted the Atomium a Smurftastic illustration that became the starting point for its merchandise line, followed by an additional design featuring the Atomium and Smurfette.” The joint adventure now continues with a trio of exclusive designs: a metallic Smurfette inspired by the Atomium’s renovation, a Smurftastic celebration of the monument itself, and a Smurf cuddling a tiny Atomium. These new visuals have
inspired a series of products now available in the Atomium shop: mugs, tote bags, keychains, magnets, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, puzzles, snow globes, T-shirts, and more. The Atomium’s chief executive Julie Almau Gonzalez said: “Through this new collection, we want to offer visitors a joyful and original souvenir that captures the unique spirit of the Atomium.” It was a sentiment echoed by Peyo’s daughter Véronique Culliford, who heads the Peyo Company: “It is a true honour to Smurf together this beautiful partnership, which honours two
Belgian icons born in the same year (1958) and recognised throughout the world.” The Atomium’s anniversary programme entitled “Brighter than ever since 2006” combines digital art installations, a podcast and special activities. Built in 1958 as the centrepiece of the World Exhibition, it was designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak. The modernist structure consisted of nine aluminium-coated steel spheres, linked by diagonal tubes. But by the beginning of the 21st century, the site was in urgent need of repairs. A
major two-year renovation project was launched in 2004, which included cladding the spheres in rectangular steel plates. Since its reopening in 2006, the Atomium has hosted permanent exhibitions about Belgium in the 1950s, as well as temporary digital art shows. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Brussels while serving as an international symbol of both the city and country. Photos: ©Atomium
Atomium, Smurfs, Peyo, Pierre Culliford, Véronique Culliford, Belgian icons, Brussels, Heysel, 2006 reopening, anniversary souvenirs