The Memory Palace: An Exhibition That Defined the Summer.

From July 3 to August 16, 2026, the Royal Palace of Brussels was transformed into the “Memory Palace” for an interactive exhibition dedicated to communication and connection with people living with dementia.

Conceived by Dr. Kasper Bormans and the Unik-ID artistic collective, the exhibition offered visitors an experience combining science, art and imagination, in the heart of the Hall of Mirrors. The Alzheimer League ASBL was one of the project’s partners, alongside the National Alzheimer League (LINAL) and other organisations working in the field.

More than 128,000 visitors

The success far exceeded expectations: 128,932 people visited the Memory Palace over the course of six weeks, representing 96% of the venue’s maximum capacity. This exceptional turnout helped shine a particular light on the realities of dementia and the importance of human connection.

The exhibition also highlighted family members, professionals and everyone who supports a person living with dementia on a daily basis. Through simple gestures, mirrors, installations and shared experiences, it invited visitors to reflect on different ways of communicating when words become more difficult.

A message echoed by the King

The project also received particular attention during the King’s National Day speech on July 21, 2026. In his address, His Majesty the King spoke about people whose cognitive abilities are gradually declining and paid tribute to the work of professionals, associations and everyone who supports them. He went on to explain that the Royal Palace had chosen to dedicate one of its summer exhibitions to “the art of communicating with people experiencing cognitive decline.”