Meise Botanic Garden opens the commemorative year with the exhibition ‘Adiós Mamá Carlota’
In this exhibition, the public will discover the extraordinary life story of Charlotte, Princess of Belgium and Empress of Mexico, through images and stories.
In Bouchout Castle, the very place where Empress Charlotte spent no less than 50 years, the heritage association Berla presents a comprehensive overview of her life using photos, illustrations, and video reenactments of scenes from various episodes of her life. On the upper floors of the square tower, her life is portrayed in an even more original manner: felt dolls in the vibrant and characteristic style of Día de los Muertos bring 28 scenes from her life to light. These were created by Francisco Rivas, formerly of the National Museum of History, Castillo de Chapultepec, in Mexico City. This second lively part of the exhibition was co-organized with the support of the Embassy of Mexico.
A year full of culture and heritage
The opening of Adiós Mamá Carlota marks the kickoff for a major cultural commemorative year in the Botanic Garden and the Municipality of Meise. ‘Carlota 100 years’ will also be showcased and experienced across various public buildings, and the village centres will be decorated in theme. Local traders are participating with themed shop windows, and through the library, schools, associations, and numerous partners, Charlotte’s story will be told throughout the year. Visitors can immerse themselves in a rich programme across the entire year:
Culture & Heritage: Lectures, theatre performances, documentaries, and book launches.
Music & Art: Concerts, local art projects, and special heritage activities.
Second Exhibition ‘Viva Carlota’: Later in the commemorative year, Meise Botanic Garden will present the exhibition Viva Carlota. In this exhibition, top artists such as Ulrike Bolenz will make the echoes of Charlotte's voice resonate through powerful sculptures centred around (female) resilience.
Who was Empress Charlotte?
Born in Laeken as Princess Charlotte of Belgium, the country's first princess, she married Archduke Maximilian of Austria and became Empress of Mexico in 1864. She spent the last fifty years of her life at Bouchout Castle in Meise Botanic Garden, becoming one of the most intriguing historical figures in our history. One hundred years after her passing, Meise wishes to highlight her story once again—not only from a historical perspective, but also to show how her life story demonstrates how resilience and vulnerability go hand in hand: two themes that defined her life then and are more relevant than ever in our society today.
“The last resident of the domain before the Botanic Garden was established here was Empress Charlotte. We owe the creation of certain areas and the planting of trees that we still enjoy today to her. She also certainly lives on in the memory of the descendants of her court. Her name is inextricably linked to the Botanic Garden, which is why we are happy to offer our full cooperation to the activities surrounding her commemorative year,” says Koen Es, Director of Public Services at Meise Botanic Garden.
Practical Information
Info Meise Botanic Garden
Exhibition Adios mama Carlota
The ‘Adios Mama Carlota’ exhibition will run from 1 November 2026 to 2 May 2027 at the Castle.
Admission to the exhibition is included in the ticket price for Meise Botanic Garden.
Info
Info Municipality of Meise
The programme runs from 1 November 2026 to December 2027 and will be announced step-by-step through the communication channels of the local municipality of Meise and involved partners. More information can be found at www.meise.be/carlota
