She has been representing Belgium for 66 years, and it is far from over. The Atomium still has a bright future ahead of it, partly thanks to the rope access technicians who maintain it throughout the year.
For more than half a century, it has watched over Brussels, reflecting 66 years of Belgian history on its wall. Nine balls, sixteen tubes, which span the years when they should only have existed for six months.
To perpetuate this little engineering miracle, courage is part of the specifications. Anthony, responsible for maintaining the monument, explains to us the ins and outs of his job.
And first of all, the equipment. On the program: retaining strap, carabiners of all kinds and rope attachment system. Safety equipment far from useless. It must be said that at a height of 100 m, all movements are calculated.
“Since we are quite high, everything really needs to be permanently attached. For example, the bag with all the products, it is attached“, explains Anthony.
A day that they all spend repeating the same gestures, very far from the ground. Pour, polish, wipe, over and over again. And to make sure the Atomium continues to shine, Anthony uses a secret wax.
Unfortunately, the weather can sometimes complicate operations. At the first drop of rain or gust of wind, this same monument becomes slippery and particularly dangerous.
Thanks to years of renovation, hundreds of assessments and the work of thousands of workers, the Atomium survived a more than certain death.
“Since it wasn’t made to last, it was built from aluminum, which was a very modern material. But inevitably, after x years, the aluminum has rusted and pierced. And so today, it has been completely renovated (…) and it was necessary to change the metal which covers the Atomium“, explains Julie Almau Gonzalez, deputy general director of the Atomium.
Today, the shine of its stainless steel is never taken for granted. Cleaning and maintaining the Atomium is now a priority. “This is an overall budget of around 70,000 euros per year. (…) If you don’t maintain the Atomium well, you won’t be able to use it and welcome the public. (…)”, adds Julie Almau Gonzalez.
If cleaning is carried out once a year, maintenance is constant. All the joints of the most visited museum in Belgium are scrutinized.
Tommy Oosterbosch, manager of a rope repair company, explains: “It’s very difficult because it remains a specific profession. Obviously, there is the approach of emptiness, but there is also the fact that the job is not physically easy. (…) It’s a very varied profession, so it requires skills in several areas.“.
To thank them, Brussels offers them one of the most beautiful working environments on a stainless steel tray, honoring those who make the monuments sparkle.
atomium brussels
