Marx as a Migrant – A digital narrative

Karl Marx lived a long life as a migrant. Fleeing from the Prussian state, censorship and possible arrest, important stops on his journey were Paris, Brussels and London. These cities shaped his political activities, his engagement with political fellow-travellers, as well as his intellectual development and thus his entire work.

At the click of a mouse, you can follow Marx as a migrant from city to city. You can not only immerse yourself in his time, but also discover that even today, traces of his life and work continue to be seen in Paris, Brussels and London.

Each station takes about 45 minutes.

Contact: info@marx200.org

Marx as a Migrant

  • Brussels
  • Neighbourhood with Hess and Engels

Brussels, September 2017, Rue de l’Alliance

A street on the eastern edge of central Brussels, in the district Sint-Joost-ten-Node.

The quarter is the most densely populated neighbourhood in Belgium and one with the poorest population. More immigrants live here than anywhere else in the country. Almost every second resident comes from Turkey, Morocco, Bulgaria or Romania. Visitors to the area are discreetly urged to keep an eye on their belongings.

House numbers 2, 3, 5 and 7 now belong to an Arab cultural centre, a medical insurance company dealing with occupational diseases and accidents, and the exit of a car park. The neighbourhood features the office of an organisation for women’s rights and the municipal building of Sint-Joost-ten-Node. Towards the west, a part of the glass facade of the Madou Tower can be seen; which houses the offices of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition. In the summer of 1845, rue de l’Alliance 2 is home to the German journalist Sebastian Seiler.

His neighbours in houses 3, 5 and 7 were Moses Hess, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.