Ferragus’ purpose is to organise cultural and philosophical events, including exhibitions and publications, as well as to arrange and support charitable and educational activity in all countries and fields. To those who work for the Ferragus non-profit organisation, liberty, fraternity and equality are more than just empty words. Yet this does not mean that we are egalitarians who want to level down. In today’s society, difference is accepted as an ideal – it is sought out, because difference is the starting point for building bridges. And that’s as it should be between humans. It’s a question of humanism.

In the name of difference, everyone is welcome to work with Ferragus, regardless of skin colour, and be they practising or lapsed Catholics, pastors, defrocked priests, liberals, socialists, communists, straight or gay, transgender, and so on. Likewise, difference is looked for in the artistic activities that Ferragus will organise. Music will dialogue with painting; jazz and reggae will converse with classical music; Broadway will be seen virtually side by side with Offenbach. This explains why we are promoting this book on metal in African art, alongside everything previously published on African wooden objects.

The goal is to decode the ‘why’ behind things. To be able to work with Ferragus, you need the ability to listen: to hear, decode and then respond – in a manner that is respectful of everyone’s views, in the name of that quest for difference which is so dear to Ferragus. Prohibition will be prohibited. This principle of looking for difference also means that Ferragus does not turn a blind eye to those who are most deprived. The proceeds from this book will go to a non-profit organisation that gives disabled children the chance to practise team sports. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said, ‘It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’

Ferragus is a Belgian association based in Brussels, contact us at info@ferragus.org to get in touch with us.