Laeken Greenhouses - Behind the Scenes

Since returning from the Laeken Royal Greenhouses I just cannot get the dazzling display of color and glass houses out of my mind. There really is no place like it on Earth.

So when the article (below) came out in "Flanders Today" (April 22, 2009), I was saddened to know some of the bittersweet history behind the gorgeous glass greenhouses. Fascinating and horrific. Of course I had heard of the “Belgian Congo” and we read Joseph Conrad's “The Heart of Darkness” in high school, but it hadn’t all clicked until reading this. So I want to include it in my blog in hopes it will teach the back story and also so I don’t forget the sacrifices made for such a special place: