In the context of this artwork, analyze the Coin tossing and charity of the Legacy.
From the time the statue was erected, passers-by began tossing coins into its basin. Taking note of this, the non-profit organisation Horizon-Espoir ASBL was formed in 1987, with the aim of collecting coins from the statue's basin and donate them to organisations looking to find a treatment for AIDS. Since then, the money has also been donated to organisations like the National Fund for Scientific Research (NFSR) and UNICEF.
The frequent coin tossing also gave birth to a legend: in addition to coin-tossers possibly having a wish of theirs come true—a tradition associated with other fountains the world over—lovers who toss in a coin will be promised fidelity in their love life. A plaque was put up next to the statue describing this:This fountain was built in honor of loyalty. A very old custom has it that your wish will be granted if you throw a coin into the bowl of the fountain. The coins thrown by passers-by in the fountain of Jeanneke Pis bear witness to tenderness, virtue and admiration for the loved one with the wish to remain faithful to one another.
In December 2021, the plaque was replaced with a new one, written from the perspective of the statue itself:Cheerful, pensive, cheeky and cynical... I'm the most mischievous little girl in Brussels! Do you love someone? Then throw in a coin and legend has it that I will protect you. Every year, your donations are used for medical research and to help the needy in Belgium.
UNICEF Jeanneke Pis National Fund for Scientific Research AIDS Brussels