Catherine Rombouts Le grand jour

Catherine Rombouts is a photographer, Christiane was his mother.
Sophie Richelle is a historian. They tell, in a book with two voices, in images and texts, the end of Christiane’s life. In Belgium, euthanasia has been permitted within the strict framework of the law since 2002. This book offers an overview of the realities that it covers. For Christiane and others, the possibility of this choice allowed a more dignified death, in keeping with their definition of life. The photographs of Catherine Rombouts, who followed and accompanied her mother until her last moments, mingle with family photographs, everyday objects, traces of a fulfilled life.
Sophie Richelle’s texts, written from testimonies and more informative and quantified elements, put into perspective the singular and collective stories of euthanasia.
Between moral, religious and political questions, euthanasia divides Europeans and leads to heated debates in countries tempted by legalization. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have taken the plunge and authorized the practice within a strictly defined framework.
In France, euthanasia, like assisted suicide, remains prohibited by law, even if, since 2016, the Claeys-Leonetti law gives the right to “deep sedation and continues until death”. In this heavy debate, revived by highly publicized cases (Vincent Humbert, Chantal Sébire, Vincent Lambert, Anne Bert), public opinion today seems to have evolved and opinion surveys show that a clear majority emerges in favor of euthanasia. This poignant and sensitive book aims to advance the debate within our society.