The Great War Centenary in Flanders

The great War centenary in Flanders

The Great War Centenary

• Dear Reader,

The whole world, and Flanders in particular, is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War. More than nine million soldiers from about fifty modern-day nations did not survive the ‘Great War’. 600,000 soldiers and civilians lost their lives in our country, among whom 550,000 in the Westhoek region, also known as Flanders Fields. Flanders experienced all aspects of this first global conflict first-hand: the invasion, the occupation, the four-year trench war and, finally, the liberation. To this day, the Great War lives on in our collective memory. The Government of Flanders is actively engaged in the Great War commemoration. In doing so, it builds on the efforts made during the past years. One century later, we wish to commemorate the victims of this war and condemn senseless war violence. The commemoration is an excellent opportunity to ensure the sustainable preservation of our war heritage for future generations. As coordinator of ‘The Great War Centenary (2014-18)’, I have the pleasure of presenting to you the Government of Flanders’ project for the commemoration of the First World War centenary. This brochure explains the project’s vision and provides an overview of the activities for each policy area: foreign policy, tourism, culture and media, heritage conservation, education, nature and forests, agriculture, etc. The remembrance project in all its facets is a unique spearhead in the Government of Flanders’ policy for the next few years. In a serene manner we also want to acquaint young people with the horrific events that took place one century ago and their consequences, and to make them reflect on war and peace. We want to show people what happened during the war and make them understand. In commemoration of those who died, so those who commemorate them may learn from it.

Geert Bourgeois Minister-President of the Government of Flanders and Flemish Minister for Foreign Policy and Immovable Heritage

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INTRODUCTION

Coming to terms “In a fitting and serene manner, “Finally, special attention is that is how Flanders wants to devoted to commemorative tourism, or with the past, commemorate the 100th anniversary tourism that offers a place for meaning drawing lessons of the First World War”, according to and reflection.” ■ Pierre Ruyffelaere, General Project for the future Office Coordinator. “To that end it has launched The Great War Centenary Pierre Ruyffelaere Project (2014-18), which aims to put Project Office the world conflict in a broader context. The Great War Centenary (2014-18) This project does not just focus on war and peace, but also on remembrance, awareness-raising and the European idea.” “The whole range of activities that are organised to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War is to increase Flanders’ visibility on the international level and generate an enduring association with the theme of world peace.” “Another objective of the project is to create among present and future generations in Flanders an awareness of the significance of tolerance, intercultural dialogue and international understanding. This is the only way that we can foster an open and tolerant society, come to terms with our past and draw lessons from it for the future.”

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PROTECTION COMMITTEE

“Treasure your empathy A project can only be successful Van Rompuy (Minister of State and if it has a solid sounding board. That European Council President), Etienne and treasure peace” is why the Government of Flanders Vermeersch (professor emeritus and officially installed a Protection honorary vice-chancellor of Ghent Rudi Vranckx Committee for the Great War Centenary University), Marc Vervenne (professor member of Commemoration on 13 December emeritus and honorary chancellor of the Protection Committee 2012. This committee is composed of Catholic University of Leuven) and Rudi authoritative figures with different Vranckx (journalist). social backgrounds. They all lend their According to Rudi Vranckx, “we names to The Great War Centenary can no longer ignore history, but we (2014-18) project and, drawing on can hope to learn from it. That is why their own experience, launch ideas and you should treasure your empathy and proposals for the further elaboration treasure peace.” ■ of the commemorative activities. Furthermore, they help raise the project’s national and international profile and attend the pivotal moments of the official programme. These are the eleven committee members: Lieve Blancquaert (photographer), Frank De Winne (astronaut, holder of several honorary doctorates and goodwill ambassador of unicef), Jan Fabre (artist), Christ’l Joris (chairman of Belgian Red Cross- Flanders), Wim Mertens (composer), Jacques Rogge (honorary president of the International Olympic Committee), Chris Van den Wyngaert (professor at University of Antwerp and judge of the International Criminal Court), Herman

Grieving soldiers, by Emil Krieger, German military cemetery, Langemark 7 the great war centenary

PROJECT OFFICE

Engine and “An ambitious project such as it directs the central project group. the Great War Centenary project This group constitutes the platform for one-stop shop requires good management. For this the coordination of and information purpose the Government of Flanders exchange about the Government of Pierre Ruyffelaere has established a Project Office which Flanders’ commemorative activities. Project Office acts as some kind of one-stop-shop Moreover, the central project group and The Great War Centenary (2014-18) within the Flemish administration the Project Office make sure permanent for the preparation, coordination and consultation and information exchange monitoring of the project”, says Pierre take place between the different Ruyffelaere, General Project Office partners and levels.” Coordinator. “At the third level the Project “It operates at three levels: Office is responsible for targeted international, Flemish and local. communication on the project in order to ensure that all interested parties in At the first level the Project Flanders are informed about it. Besides, Office makes an inventory of the it identifies stakeholders that may international remembrance ceremonies contribute to the project.” ■ to be held in Flanders and abroad between 2014 and 2018. It also maps out the plans of foreign authorities to invest in commemorative monuments in Flanders Fields and formulates actual proposals for the organisation of international commemorations in Flanders during this centenary commemoration period.” “At the second level the Project Office reports and monitors the project’s progress and lists the many initiatives organised by the Government of Flanders. In addition,

The Stone of Remembrance, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passendale (Zonnebeke) 9 the great war centenary

ACTION PLAN

Dynamic “On 17 February 2012, the Project “The action plan is a dynamic Office presented an action plan to the plan, which will be developed in greater working tool Government of Flanders. It was drawn depth together with the various policy up on the basis of Government of areas in order to obtain a flexible Pierre Ruyffelaere Flanders policy documents and Flemish working tool. It will be used for Project Office Parliament resolutions”, says Pierre periodical reporting to the Government The Great War Centenary (2014-18) Ruyffelaere, General Project Office of Flanders.” Coordinator. “The action plan provides The action plan is available at an overview of the various actions www.2014-18.be. ■ per policy area and focuses on foreign policy, tourism, culture and media, heritage conservation, education, the environment, nature and forests, agriculture and fisheries and scientific research. Actions will be associated with each of the objectives. In addition, the action plan gives due consideration to generic initiatives of the Project Office, general communication and intra- Belgian cooperation.”

Polygon Wood Cemetery, Zonnebeke 11 the great war centenary

ADDED VALUE PROJECTS

From young people “Mijmeringen van de Menenpoort “In 2014, the department entered (Musings at the Menin Gate) was into cooperation with the non- and the Christmas the title of the project organised profit organisation Scriptie for the truces to musings at to solemnly celebrate the thirty- organisation of the award Scriptieprijs thousandth edition of the Last Post 100 jaar Groote Oorlog. During a period the Menin Gate ceremony in Ypres on 9 July 2015. of five years, running from 2014 This was done, among other methods, through 2018, this award will turn the Tinne Jacobs by telling personal stories about the spotlight on bachelor and master theses Project Office names on the Menin Gate over one about the First World War and reward The Great War Centenary (2014-18) whole year. In addition, the Flanders the best ones. A special website has Department of Foreign Affairs provided been designed for this purpose.” ■ the international contacts, to ensure that the ceremonies in different locations abroad could be organised and broadcasted”, says Tinne Jacobs, Deputy Coordinator. “This is just one of the many First World War initiatives taken care of by the Project Office. We consider it important to not just take charge of the coordination, but to also help flesh out the project in terms of content.” “The same department also assisted the non-profit organisation Talbot House with the International Commemoration of 100 Years of Talbot House project. It will receive a great deal of attention in Poperinge and London in the autumn of 2015. And throughout 2015 the department is supporting the Dutch organisation De Jazz van het Bankroet, helping it produce a history documentary about Belgian refugees in the Netherlands during the First World War.”

The Last Post Ceremony, Menin Gate, Ypres 13 the great war centenary

INTERNATIONAL

Worldwide “Soldiers from no fewer than 50 Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, modern-day nations were involved in France, Germany, Canada, Australia, cooperation the military operations in the Westhoek New Zealand, Ireland and the United region. This shows from the 2007 study States.” Koen Verlaeckt conducted by the Flemish Foreign “The construction of memorial Flanders Department Policy Research Centre and it implies gardens and the organisation of of Foreign Affairs that many of these nations are now remembrance concerts and public in the process of preparing their own outreach activities are crucial and national commemoration agenda”, says special instruments for promoting this Koen Verlaeckt, Secretary-General of international cooperation. This is nicely the Flanders Department of Foreign illustrated by the peace hymn composed Affairs. “In the preparation of these by Jef Neve, Dirk Brossé and Frederik events, timely coordination and Sioen at the request of the Flanders information exchange are essential. Department of Foreign Affairs. This Plenty of steps have already been piece of music was premiered at taken to that end, like the bilateral Flagey on 21 April 2015. After that, agreements which Flanders concluded international performances will be with New Zealand and Australia.” held throughout the commemoration “For the centenary period. Each performance will link up commemoration the Government of with the international commemoration Flanders actively builds on the efforts agenda and Flanders’ priorities in this and preparations that were made context.” during the previous term of office. “One last point of focus is the Its explicit ambition is to establish publication 14-18. 100 Years On, written a humanitarian and internationally by journalist Katrien Steyaert and oriented project, which has an enduring published by wpg Uitgevers België. association with the peace motto ‘No The publication is mainly being used More War’.” as an international promotional gift “Since the commemoration has and contains personal testimonials a global character, the Government of foreign ambassadors and members of Flanders will actively support of the Protection Committee for international cooperation, in the first the Great War Centenary (2014-18) place with its priority partners, such Commemoration.” ■ as the United Kingdom, but also with

Talbot House, Poperinge 15 the great war centenary

MEMORIAL GARDENS

Flourishing With the construction of On 11 November 2013, a special memorial gardens between 2014 and Last Post ceremony was held, in the symbols 2018 special homage is paid to all those presence of Prince Philip, Duke of of peace, who fought and died during the First Edinburgh, and Prince Laurent of World War. These memorial gardens Belgium, during which the sandbags reconciliation will be landscaped in symbolically were taken to the Menin Gate and and hope important places around the world with symbolically handed over to the British soil from Flanders Fields. The gardens army. They were then transported on are an initiative of the Government a Belgian frigate to London, where of Flanders which, together with they will be the central feature of the its foreign partners, works on these first Memorial Garden. This garden symbols of peace, reconciliation and will be created at Wellington Barracks hope for a better future. alongside the Guards Chapel which is adjacent to Buckingham Palace. The The first memorial garden was Guards Museum acts as British partner officially inaugurated in London on and will maintain the garden. 6 November 2014. The weekend after that this garden hosted a special Discussions are currently educational programme. For the underway with Australia about the construction of this garden, school inauguration in 2017 of a memorial pupils from 65 Flemish schools, as well garden in Canberra next to the as British pupils, collected soil from the Australian War Memorial, to mark Commonwealth cemeteries in Belgium. the centenary of the Battle of They put this soil in sandbags which Passchendaele. ■ each carried the name of the cemetery from where the soil was taken. All these sandbags were then gathered at the In Flanders Fields Museum.

The Trench of Death, Diksmuide 17 the great war centenary HERITAGE

“An inscription on the “No more ww i veterans are left have meanwhile been given official to act as direct witnesses. However, protection. The ww i heritage has never unesco World Heritage we still have an important medium before been so thematically focused on.” at our disposal: heritage. Military List would not just “An important tool in this context cemeteries, war memorials, bunkers, was our inventory, which provides an be the icing on the shelters, battlefields, defence lines overview of the architectural, landscape and landscapes with relics are tangible cake, but could also and archaeological heritage from the traces of the past and are therefore Great War in West Flanders. It is not ensure that continued definitely worth being preserved and just an encyclopaedic work, but also a attention is paid to this receiving the necessary attention”, says scientific instrument which we have Luc Vandael of the Flanders Heritage crucial heritage.” been able to use for our protection Agency. activities. This inventory showed us, Luc Vandael, “With our project Erfgoed van de for instance, the most important types Flanders Heritage Agency Groote Oorlog (Heritage of the Great of bunkers and the most interesting War) we develop a strategy to allow typologies of commemorative this heritage to live on, until eternity monuments. The inventory can be so to speak. We were already actively consulted online at https://inventaris. engaged in this, but during the past onroerenderfgoed.be. We have years it has become a policy priority noticed that a lot of people consult this within the framework of the centenary inventory for brief information about a commemoration. We have eagerly specific site and immediately find other availed ourselves of this opportunity, documentation which is of interest to as if it were our last chance to do them. They sort of take a stroll through something meaningful for this heritage. our inventory. We are still proud to say Our agency has worked intensively that this inventory is fairly complete.” to protect and spatially anchor this “The study Herinneringspark heritage. At the end of the day this 2014-18 (Remembrance Park 2014-18) is has produced an incredible result: very valuable as well. It was presented throughout Flanders, and especially in in 2012 and formulates a vision on the the front zone of the Westhoek region, Westhoek region, which allows for the hundreds of military cemeteries, war past to ‘resurface’ in a consistent commemorative monuments, manner. This implies installing clear defence structures and other relics signs, improving the accessibility of and interconnection between sites, or “Our candidacy - which, on enhancing the readability of sites so Flanders’ side, encompasses a carefully that visitors, who are most certainly thought-out selection of 18 sites - is a not always historical experts, can learn transnational dossier, because Flanders a great deal from it. Together with the is working on this together with Dutch-Belgian Group Park 14-18 and Wallonia and France. We try to involve local actors we have been working on as many actors as possible in order this master plan for provinces and to be able to conclude a cooperation municipalities for one whole year.” agreement and to ensure that all parties can endorse the main lines of the “Currently, the dossier that will be dossier.” submitted for recognition as unesco World Heritage constitutes the core “We hope to receive a definitive of our activities. The value of our answer in the summer of 2017. For Great War heritage is not exclusive to Flanders, the inscription on the World Flanders; it is universal. For the first Heritage List would be a wonderful time in history those who fell during a culmination of our integrated heritage war are commemorated as individuals, strategy, the icing on the cake so irrespective of their rank, social status to speak. But above all - and this is or nationality. This marks the beginning probably even more important - this of a whole new tradition. Moreover, recognition could especially play a the heritage and its integration role in the period after 2018 when the into the landscape has been worked attention for the First World War will out with great care and quality and probably start to wane. A quality label always embodies a call for long-lasting awarded by unesco could make sure peace. The confrontation with these that this crucial heritage continues to uncountable gravestones and names receive the attention it deserves.” ■ gives us food for thought and makes an ethical appeal to man and society. These are all reasons why we believe that the military cemeteries and monuments for the missing in Flanders deserve to be entered on the World Heritage List.”

Menin Gate, Ypres 19 the great war centenary

21 the great war centenary CULTURE

“Numerous pieces “Archives material, museum are so unique in Flanders that we want objects, customs and traditions: these to continue to protect them, among are discovered which are all types of cultural heritage. You other things by making sure they no one even knew can use them to document combat cannot be sold just like that and are not actions, but also to demonstrate the allowed to leave the territory. Diaries, existed. We should impact of war outside the combat pictures, a German ultimatum and even not allow them to zones, since most of the country was decorated flower sacks: they have all occupied territory. In this way we been entered on the list.” disappear again.” also want to turn the spotlight on the “Some objects on this list had less explicitly narrated stories”, says been insufficiently known up till now. Wouter Brauns, Wouter Brauns from the Department of The same definitely goes for the stuff the Department of Cultural Heritage Cultural Heritage, which comes under which people brought along within the the Department of Culture, Youth, framework of Europeana 1914-1918. Sport and Media. This is an important European project “The Government of Flanders aimed at unlocking privately owned allocates operating and project grants collections on the First World War. to cultural heritage actors, including Over the past years cultural heritage with regard to the First World War. actors in Flanders organised collection We provide structural support, for days on which private individuals could instance, to the In Flanders Fields come and show their war objects and Museum and the Yser Tower Museum, documents and have them digitised. two key players in this centenary The result is available online at www. commemoration. Within this europeana1914-1918.eu. The collection framework a lot of actions are also days were a huge success and an organised by museums, archives and excellent way to discover treasures that other organisations whose main focus would otherwise remain under the is not the First World War.” radar.” “Our own department also “The intangible cultural heritage launches initiatives, one of the most is facing the same risk. For this reason striking of which is the entry of objects Flanders has introduced an entirely and archive material from the First new policy and set up the Flanders World War on the List of Items of Inventory for Intangible Cultural Exceptional Importance. These items Heritage in 2010. In the context of the First World War the Last Post and which, together with various cultural Memorial Day have been added to this heritage partners, is implementing the list, so as to enhance the visibility of ‘News of the Great War’ project. This these examples of good practice and important project involves digitising to keep exchanging knowledge about the Belgian press, including trench them.” papers and pamphlets, from the First World War.” “Exchanging knowledge is also the explicit objective of faro, the “Many interesting searches for Flemish Interface Centre for Cultural cultural heritage are thus currently Heritage. In recent years faro has ongoing in the sector. Personal organised study days and a series of documents of people, whether they workshops on 100 jaar Groote Oorlog are on display in the In Flanders Fields – Erfgoed, herdenking, herinnering Museum, have been registered on the (The Great War Centenary – Heritage, List of Items of Exceptional Importance Commemoration, Remembrance).’ After or are popping up elsewhere: they the first commemoration year, in 2015 tell the real stories. And raise a lot of there followed a roundtable meeting questions. Who did the documents to evaluate the previous actions and belong to? What did the owners go look ahead to future activities. One of through both during and after the war? those resulting activities is a study day The answer is often very touching. That in December 2015, aimed at bringing is why we must treasure this heritage academic researchers and cultural more than ever.” ■ heritage workers closer together.” “And the focus on the commemorations goes beyond the Department of Cultural Heritage. The Arts Department is also supporting arts projects centred around the commemorations, and the Department of Media, Film and e-Culture is funding the Vlaams Instituut voor Archivering (Flemish Archive Institute – viaa)

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PRESS FROM THE GREAT WAR

One of the largest There are more than 360,000 of ‘legal’ publications that the German pages of Belgian press material government of occupation permitted databases in the world from the First World War available and censored, and trench papers and with newspapers from via nieuwsvandegrooteoorlog.be. ‘illegal’ publications (newspapers, Over two years, the Vlaams Instituut weekly and monthly magazines, 1914-1918 online voor Archivering (Flemish Archive pamphlets and leaflets). Institute – viaa), the Vlaamse The bulk of the pages in News of Erfgoedbibliotheek (Flanders Heritage the Great War are from the collections Library) and 13 culture/heritage of three major heritage libraries: the organisations inventoried, digitised Erfgoedbibliotheek Hendrik Conscience and uploaded hundreds of thousands of (Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library) newspaper pages from 1914-1918. in Antwerp, and the Ghent and Leuven Nieuws van de Groote Oorlog (News University Libraries. From their huge of the Great War) is safeguarding the collection of newspapers, no less than information from these fragile news 190,000 pages from 1914 to 1918 have pages for future generations, and been scanned in. The advn, the In putting the digital heritage of the First Flanders Fields Museum, kadoc, the World War on the international map. Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Supported by the Flanders Department the amvb, the Provinciale Bibliotheek of Foreign Affairs, you can search Tolhuis, Amsab-isg, the Liberaal the website not just in Dutch, but in Archief, the Provinciale Bibliotheek English, French and German too. Limburg and the Letterenhuis have added to this a combined total of A unique collection 80,000 pages. ■ For News of the Great War, viaa www.nieuwsvandegrooteoorlog.be has digitised more than 270,000 newspaper pages, and is storing the material electronically for the long term. Spanning some 1,000 unique titles and 52,000 different editions, this extensive collection consists both

The Yser Tower, Diksmuide 25 the great war centenary

TOURISM

“What does the “As soon as circumstances the commemoration years. Baseline allowed it, people started to visit the measurements have already been First World War landscapes of the war in the Westhoek carried out, for instance of the current, still signify these days? region, like some sort of pilgrimage or international renown of Flanders and out of curiosity”, says Lea Winkeler, Flanders Fields as a destination for It is almost Great War Centenary Project Manager WWI tourism and of the number of an existential question. for Visit Flanders. “War tourism and visitors there. We will resume these remembrance have thus existed since measurements during and at the end For that reason alone, 1919 already and we are building on of the five-year period in order to be attracting visitors most that today. We suggest ideas to people able to monitor developments and definitely does not just who are interested in this part of the to outline, in 2019, the impact of the past, we invite them to Flanders and resources invested by Flemish society in have an economic make sure they find the stories here this commemoration.” side to it.” they are looking for. We also provide all the supporting services, from guides Quality on the ground to transport and accommodation. The Lea Winkeler, “After the research comes the quality of their experience is always our Visit Flanders action. Between 2010 and 2014 the main goal.” Government of Flanders appropriated “This became even more 15 million euros for The Great War important given the growing interest Centenary Impulse Programme. This in Flanders and Flanders Fields that programme allocated financial support could be expected between 2014 to 44 projects for the development or and 2018 – and the fact that visitors improvement of their WWI offer, so have indeed found their way to our as to enable them to give visitors the remembrance sites. In order to be able experience they are looking for and to handle these larger visitor flows expecting. Sometimes, this implies responsibly, we have already initiated improving a place of remembrance a plan of approach in 2006, together by constructing a parking area or with Westtoer, the autonomous agency installing an essential information for tourism of the province of West sign. Other times it is about unlocking Flanders, on the basis of a thorough stories that would otherwise escape analysis of the tourism potential. This our attention or about making large is in keeping with our philosophy of strategic investments. We are proud, working with knowledge, with data: the for instance, of our five gateways to same approach will also be used during the Westhoek region: the thoroughly

In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres 27 the great war centenary renovated and extended In Flanders may serve as a source of inspiration Fields Museum in Ypres, the for dealing with other sensitive renovated and extended Memorial commemorative sites around the world. Museum Passchendaele 1917 where It is a guideline for fine-tuning our special attention is devoted to the thoughts.” disastrous Battle of Passchendaele, the refurbished Talbot House and the Accessibility reinforced Lyssenthoek Cemetery “Through its commemorative in Poperinge, the renovated Yser initiatives Visit Flanders is also aiming Tower Museum in Diksmuide and the to increase the social capital. In other recently inaugurated visitor centre in words, we want to make anything Nieuwpoort, close to the locks which that has to do with the First World were opened in 1914 to flood the Yser War as accessible as possible to people planes. Each of these sites is a natural with and without disabilities. This starting point for anyone who wants is a requirement for all subsidised to explore the heart of Flanders Fields. projects. We have already made They offer a well-founded introduction many achievements on the ground, to the theme and invite visitors to also although there are limits to making visit the surrounding area.” infrastructure physically accessible. “The Government of Flanders has Sometimes, it is impossible to work opted for an attractive commemoration miracles or at least within the short that extends beyond the different term. However, in the meantime we policy areas. We must, however, at all can at least make sure that people with times keep our core objective in mind: disabilities receive detailed information to give visitors access to an important about the degree of accessibility. We part of history - which may in some have gathered this information and are cases be a very intimate and emotional disseminating it both home and abroad. family history. We are only too aware The importance of such information of how carefully we should approach was emphasised, among other things, tourism in this context. We call our at the World Travel Market in London approach ‘tourism+’. It combines where we were presented with a world seven principles, from respect for the accessibility award for this approach victims, history and relics, to multiple in 2013. It was a welcome signal to us voices, deepening and a message of that we should continue to take steps, peace. Our approach is highly regarded although it is not an easy task.” both nationally and internationally and Experience “Focus is placed not just on the manoeuvre war, but also on the “An elaborated commemoration trench war. In October 2014, the programme should also include high entire front line was marked by quality public events. Exhibitions, people carrying torches over a total concerts and other cultural-artistic length of 84 kilometres. This project projects in Flanders together form an was called Lichtfront ’14 (The Light internationally relevant WWI agenda, Front). Concerts and re-enactments thanks to project grants totalling 11.7 are also planned to commemorate million euros. A first group of projects the Christmas truces of 1914. 1000 received support for their development Voices for Peace was another wonderful in 2014 and 2015, whereas a second project that truly captured the public group was allocated grants for the last imagination. Choirs from fifteen three years of the commemoration.” countries that fought in the war joined “Although it is practically impossible to with over twenty Belgian choirs, select only a few events from the almost culminating in a concert at the Brussels endless offer, several clusters can still National Basilica of the Sacred Heart be distinguished. Some projects focused of Koekelberg, where all these voices on the German invasion and the Martyr jointly sang about the commemoration, Towns - we refer in this context to the but above all about peace.’ In 2015 there exhibition Ravaged in Leuven - whereas was global interest in the 30,000th Last others concentrated on the siege of Post – the ceremony that takes place Antwerp, which was commemorated every evening under the Menin Gate in with the installation of a pontoon Ypres.” bridge across the Scheldt. The city also devoted increased attention to ‘14-18’, Spread the word for instance through the organisation of an exhibition at the Fotomuseum “With a high-quality offer and on the use of photography during strong agenda we want to attract the First World War. Other cities also potential international visitors to staged historical and art exhibitions, Flanders. A third, important part like the large-scale exhibition 14-18. of our programme is thus the active It’s Our History! at the Royal Museum communication abroad. All over the of the Army and of Military History in world Visit Flanders representatives Brussels.” are committed on a daily basis to informing the professional travel sector Grieving Parents (detail) by Käthe Kollwitz, German military cemetery, Vladslo (Diksmuide) 29 the great war centenary

31 the great war centenary and reporters about our Region and fellow countrymen and foreigners. to kindling their interest in it. The You virtually plant a poppy for this Great War Centenary commemoration specific person from where you live, represents a vital link in this and in and a poppy symbol will then appear on this.” a world map. This map demonstrates the international character of the war, “Our head office in Brussels also and of the commemoration. The slogan crosses boundaries by launching a is: Join us in creating a worldwide poppy general communication campaign. field.” A very dynamic component of this campaign is our Facebook page where “Another action is The Flanders we create an international community Fields Post, an English-language one-off by posting messages about historical newspaper which we distributed exactly facts and about which activities are 100 years after the outbreak of the First organised in Flanders in relation to World War in 115,000 copies around these facts. We already have 65,000 the UK, Ireland and Canada. This followers and their numbers continue and other actions should ensure that to grow. What is even more touching Flanders Fields remains on the radar is that they are very active. They post of everyone who feels drawn to the memories or pictures of their great- history of and many personal stories grandfathers who fought in Flanders from the First World War, for the entire and share interesting messages with commemoration period.” each other. Commemorating together is “Since I have been participating in actually a reality here.” Visit Flanders commemorative project, “On the digital level we have I have been moved by something almost also designed an application with every day. We knew from the very poppies, a symbol which we definitely start that this could well be the last had to and wanted to use. In the time we will be able to ‘reanimate’ the application we invite interested commemoration of the First World War people to commemorate a specific war on such a large scale and make people victim. This may be a family member truly realise the sense and nonsense or acquaintance, but also someone of it. Who knows how long it will take from the Name List of the In Flanders before we remember this episode like Fields Museum which mentions all we remember the Battle of Waterloo? the casualties of the Great War in There are no direct witnesses left and Belgium, including citizens, soldiers, soon our emotional connection to this story may start to fade, as may our natural curiosity about how this war could ever take place and what impact it has on today’s society. What we can learn from it today. It is almost an existential question.” “Attracting visitors for the commemoration definitely has an economic side to it, but it is about so much more. When a Frenchman visits his grandfather’s grave here, this is a deep personal experience. When a bus of British school children visit Ypres and the surrounding area, it makes them reflect on war and peace, on their country’s history and on the solidarity with other people. It is our duty to make sure this is the most meaningful experience of their lives.” ■

33 the great war centenary NATURE and FORESTS

“Nature is a crown “You would not expect it, but nature, hence our slogan for the coming nature played a very substantial role years of commemoration: Taking care witness of the First during the war. It supplied food and of Flanders Fields. Whether we guide World War which - raw materials (many forests were for people through it on foot or by bicycle, the greater part chopped after 1918), it will always be done respectfully. however weird this may served as a hiding or resting place This is a remembrance and experience sound - sometimes also for the soldiers or changed into a project with which we want to steer military zone, and later on into a place clear of any type of naked commerce. benefited nature.” of remembrance. After the war some Once you realise that thousands of forests were still the same, but others soldiers lost their lives here, you cannot Marleen Evenepoel, had to fully adapt or regenerate.” but approach it with respect. They Administrator-General of the Agency fought for our freedom and we must for Nature and Forests. “It is the opinion of the Agency for continue to be grateful for that.” Nature and Forests that Flemish nature areas made a great contribution during “The Great War Centenary war time and therefore it regards them commemoration is a source of special as crown witnesses of the war, like war stories and surprises for our agency. It veterans who are still very much alive is very rewarding to keep the memory today. This was the carefully chosen alive in our very own special way and to slogan in 2014 for our Week of the Forest, be able to highlight the experience of during which the local fauna and flora nature. This experience is the key focus testified to the Great War.” of our plans for the future. Through the commemoration of ’14-’18 we want “Yet oddly enough, the war was to let the Flemish people enjoy nature actually also beneficial to nature. again and make them more aware of it. Bomb craters, for instance, became This story offers a great deal of food, beautiful ponds which today provide an both literally and for thought.” ideal habitat for the northern crested newt. The bunkers that once offered “Just take the poppy, for instance, protection to soldiers are now excellent which is an international symbol of shelters for bats. In other places as well, gratitude. Our agency has turned the nature has shown its resilience and new spotlight on it by sowing poppy fields. life has sprouted from the destruction. By 2015 there were more than 60 We want to keep taking care of this new hectares, spread over the five provinces of Flanders. Of those 60 hectares, 20 the middle of a country at war. In 2015, were sown by towns and municipalities walks through the park and exhibitions that wanted to join in the initiative. We at the Ruiterijcomplex commemorated are planning to sow even more fields this incredibly evocative period. every year until 2018, and we are also Together, these histories are a sample organising poppy bike trails along the of stories that reveal the relationship flourishing fields. In doing this we want between forests, nature and landscape to really turn Flanders Fields into the and the First World War, as well as the place ‘where the poppies blow’.” people at and behind the front. I really like searching for these stories, not just “We are also shining the spotlight because I am a history freak myself, but on other areas. The park De Drie also because they provide a whole new Fonteinen in Vilvoorde is one of our angle to the ‘14-’18 theme.” ■ seven core areas. From Polygon Wood to the Mastenbos and the Mechelse Heide, from the Galgebossen to the Praatbos: they all have a specific relationship with the war and tell many different stories. If they weren’t being used as military training grounds or as theatres of war, they were popular clearance or hiding places.” “In 2015 De Drie Fonteinen was the place to be. Exactly 100 years earlier, the German governor-general Moritz Von Bissing took up residence in it. Until his death, he ran the German administration of occupied Belgium from De Drie Fonteinen. Ironically, in another corner of the park the Americans were organising food aid for the needy population. That piece of park was therefore ‘neutral’ ground in

Mine Crater, Hollandse Schuur, Wijtschate (Heuvelland) 35 the great war centenary

37 the great war centenary AGRICULTURE

“The focus is always on “Mothers are extremely practical First World War and they write about and can make small change go a very it in their own personal diaries. Their military strategies and long way. Without them we would never diary immediately becomes a souvenir the victims, which is survive, because there’s so little to eat of the expo that they can take home and it all costs a fortune,” August Van with them. justified of course, yet den Neste said in Eeklo in 1917. And the website agriculture and food The quest for food was a problem www.boterbijdeviswo1.be, themed supplies provided for suffered by the Belgian population around agriculture and food, remains the daily necessities.” throughout the war. The occupation the anchor for the remembrance hindered the work of farmers, bakers project. New contributions will be and fishermen. The chronic shortage added at regular intervals to the stories Gert Luypaert, of food and drink made the horror of of famine, food supply and wartime Department of Agriculture and Fisheries the war even worse. In April 2015 the cuisine. Supporting this part of the travelling exhibition Boter bij de vis remembrance project, and providing came to the Hopmuseum in Poperinge, the basis for it, is scientific research and it will make its way through the commissioned by the Department Flemish provinces in 2016 and beyond. of Agriculture and Fisheries and Even to the less ‘traditional’ regions conducted by the Interfaculty Centre of remembrance. You can find the full for Agrarian History (icag) at programme at boterbijdeviswo1.be. ku Leuven. Visitors are learning about Every year the Department everyday life in the First World War of Agriculture and Fisheries, the from this new perspective. The central Interfaculty Centre for Agrarian History themes are the difficult food situation (icag) at ku Leuven and heritage and the creativity of the Belgian partner the Centre for Agrarian History population. The partners receiving the (cag) hold a contact day – a time for travelling show − which mainly tells a the general public to encounter and general story − are also adding to it with be inspired by tales of farming and more local, regional or themed content. food during the First World War. There is a special focus on children aged This day is always in the autumn. 10 to 14. During their visit to the expo, You can find more information about thanks to the educational package on previous and upcoming contact days at offer, they gradually discover what their www.boterbijdeviswo1.be. lives would have been like during the As a result of the wwi centenary Every year, pupils from the commemorations, farmers are Vrij Agro- en Biotechnisch Instituut increasingly being asked by visitors agricultural school in Roeselare work on and customers about the First World a specific theme about the First World War. This makes them curious to find War. As part of the Molsla project, out about the history of their own they went in search of the forgotten livestock and region, and then disclose vegetables that people grew and ate it to the general public. The farmers in the Great War in order to survive. know lots of interesting stories told They discovered the accompanying by previous generations that are well family recipes, memories and stories. worth passing on. But they do not have This was a way of getting them to think sufficient supporting information and creatively about the major impact the methodologies for conducting research. First World War had on daily life. The Farmers from West Flanders interested schoolchildren were supported in their in diversification were assisted in research by experts from the cag and reconstructing their own stories via icag, and various other specialists from the ‘wo i op ‘t erf’ project. They were the agricultural industry. For the farm given a tailor-made, practical research owners of tomorrow, it is particularly tool; supported in their search via instructive to hear that both Michelin- workshops; and encouraged to pass starred chefs and the general public are their stories on to the general public. interested in these forgotten vegetables You can find the accompanying guide and the context in which they were at http://www.boterbijdeviswo1. used during the First World War. But be/over-ons/project-woi-op-t-erf. it doesn’t stop there: in partnership The farmers want to use the results with the West Flanders Chamber Of as a diversification activity – making Commerce and Industry, the children the fascinating history of agriculture are learning how that produce can be more visible to the general public. The brought to market in a creative way. objective was to make farmers more The destruction of farms during the aware of their own valuable historical First World War, and how they were patrimony. The intention is to roll out rebuilt afterwards, is the next theme the project further to farmers in other they will be studying. They will again be regions of Flanders. supported in this by the cag, icag and other experts. ■

39 the great war centenary

MARITIME SERVICES AND COAST

“We have restored “One of the major episodes of the “Another important monument First World War in Flanders was the worthy of our attention is the hms the protagonists flooding of the Yser plains which halted Vindictive. This ship was sunk by the of two legendary the advancing German army in October British in May 1918 at the Ostend 1914. This was done at the Ganzepoot, a port channel to obstruct the German chapters in Flanders’ lock complex at Nieuwpoort, where six u-boats. This important blockship was Great War to their rivers flow out into the North Sea”, says recovered in 1920 and its bow section Elias Van Quickelborne of the Coast was converted into a monument, former glory.” Department. which was recently restored and inaugurated in May 2013 at the Halve “Therefore, the Ganzepoot is a Elias Van Quickelborne, Maandijk in Ostend by King Albert ii. historical witness, which was, however, Agency for Maritime Services On the occasion of this centenary and Coast entirely destroyed during the First commemoration the bow section has World War. The complex was rebuilt been placed in its definitive location on soon after, but these past few years the new eastern longitudinal dike.” it urgently required a facelift. A small part of the bank was on the verge of “This is how we manage to save collapsing, which is why our agency the protagonists of two legendary decided to rebuild that section. In chapters in Flanders’ Great War from addition, the top layer of most of the oblivion. It is a beautiful reminder at other banks was renewed as well. This the coast for fishermen, residents and is how we restored the complex, located tourists.” ■ close to the famous Albert I monument, to its original state and gave back some of its former glory.”

The King Albert i Monument, Nieuwpoort 41 the great war centenary VRT

“We hope to provide “The First World War should be live broadcast of the Last Post ceremony anchored in our collective memory in Ypres on Armistice Day is another our viewers and and therefore also in our collective important moment to draw attention to listeners with some consciousness,” says Mark De Geest, the war and to “revive” the message of coordinator of the vrt (Flemish peace and international solidarity.” insight into what war Public Broadcaster) project 2014-18 De “Arnout Houben made a Grote Oorlog – 100 jaar later (2014-18 does to people and documentary series entitled Ten Oorlog The Great War – 100 Years On). “For (At War), about his 1,500-km hike perhaps into how we this reason we want to inform our along the western front line, which can avoid it.” audience about it by means of reports appealed to a striking number of young and documentaries, projects in the viewers. The prestigious drama series news and on our websites, and also Mark De Geest, In Vlaamse Velden (In Flanders Fields) vrt via valuable entertainment, such as – the ten-part story of a Ghent family a fascinating fictional story. As the trying to survive during the war – drew public broadcaster we see it as our high viewing figures on channel Eén, job to devote substantial attention to while Canvas presented the four-part this important chapter in our history. series Brave Little Belgium, in which Now we are a hundred years on from historian Sophie De Schaepdrijver the Great War, the vrt believes it has explained the course and impact of the a duty to play a leading role in the war in Belgium from the sites where the commemoration of it.” historical events took place.” “In the run-up to the centenary “Both In Vlaamse Velden and Brave commemoration of the First World War, Little Belgium are of vital importance we worked hard on the digital archiving to us in offering the general public an and unlocking of historical interviews insight into questions like: what does with veterans and other direct war do to people and a community? witnesses. As early as 2009 we started And perhaps: how can we prevent it interviewing over one hundred very old from happening again? As director Flemish people about their childhood of this documentary series, visiting during the Great War. De Allerlaatste some of the historic war sites was very Getuigen (The Very Last Witnesses) moving and made a huge impression – the resulting six-part documentary – on me, from Fort Loncin in Liège to the was rebroadcasted in 2014. The annual Belgian cemetery at the refugee camp in Nunspeet, the Netherlands. The aim “In the commemorations of the of Brave Little Belgium is to share this First World War, in recent years the vrt emotional experience and atmosphere has unmistakably helped to inform the with the viewer.” public about the historic events that unfolded 100 years ago and reflect on “The First World War was the what that period means for our country subject of many other tv and radio even now. The broadcaster is committed programmes, and the various websites to continuing that task with the same also devoted a lot of attention to this ambition in the years to come.” ■ theme. Radio 2 broadcasted Café Cuba, a prestigious 45-part radio play. Canvas showed 12 short animated films entitled 12 minuten voor Vrede (12 Minutes for Peace) – a reflection on the First World War; and Ketnet looked at the war through the eyes of young viewers in Kleine Handen in een Grote Oorlog (Little Hands in a Big War). In addition to countless reports on the news, the vrt news created a very detailed and informative offer via www.deredactie. be.” “In 2014 the vrt broadcasted live commemoration ceremonies from Liège, Mons, Nieuwpoort and Ypres. With the support of more than 8,000 volunteers, Lichtfront (The Light Front) became a poetic and highly memorable tv experience. The live broadcast of the 30,000th Last Post ceremony in 2015 brought the whole world a ‘Tribute to the tribute’, with Ypres linked up to broadcasters in Germany, France, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and India.”

43 the great war centenary EDUCATION AND TRAINING

“Let us break “Maybe mathematical patterns “The brochure also contains ten can be found in war strategies. During tips and plenty of inspiring examples down walls” religious instruction you can wonder of good practice. We always use an what the peace concept implies exactly. appreciative tone, since the education Dirk Terryn, We can come up with plenty more sector already conceives and realises so canon Cultural Unit, Department of examples of how the First World many ideas and we want to share the Education and Training War can be integrated into lessons in most successful ones. The problem is primary and secondary education”, says that Flemish people still too often tend Dirk Terryn of canon, the Cultural to do things all by themselves, whereas Unit of the Department of Education it is not necessary to reinvent the wheel and Training. time and time again. Let yourselves be inspired by each other and do not be “However, we need to be realistic: afraid to pick up some ideas from your teachers already have a lot to deal colleagues.” with and even if they are prepared to adopt a creative approach to a theme “We also show that you need not such as the war - which is often the necessarily visit the Westhoek region case - they sometimes can no longer to commemorate the First World see the wood for the trees. That is why War, because a lot of initiatives are the Minister for Education ordered organised in your own neighbourhood. the canon Cultural Unit in 2013 to We present books that may serve as bundle together the best initiatives. background information for teachers, This has resulted in a brochure, entitled as well as children’s and youth books 100 jaar Groote Oorlog herdenken in about this theme. This list will be de klas (Commemorating the Great updated in the 2015 edition. The canon War Centenary in the classroom), Cultural Unit primarily wants to act as which was compiled in 2014. Up-to- a conduit and a filter. A steering group date information is available at www. of teachers tells us what they like and cultuurkuur.be.” what is still lacking.” “It not only contains actions, “We also bring trainee teachers events and calls on the occasion together and disseminate the materials of the Great War Centenary they have gathered on this theme. We commemoration, but also provides think along with them on how they can background information and tools for use archives and sources, how viaa’s adopting a quality approach to the testbeeld can help them with this, commemoration in the classroom.” how to make voice-overs for interesting fragments, and how to unlock information on the website www.ingebeeld.be. Interested parties can find more information on this website about this type of projects: for pupils of primary and secondary education, and even for pre-schoolers.” “Strictly speaking, the First World War is not on the curriculum of each teacher in primary education or each specialist teacher in secondary education. However, one can adopt a broad approach to the curriculum. It is a subject that sets a lot of things in motion and which is on the news. And so I say: let us break down walls and think in a project-based way. This theme can be approached from so many different angles, and it would be a missed opportunity if we failed to do so. I believe that every teacher can add his or her personal touch to this commemoration, which is a huge added value for the generation that is currently growing up.” ■

45 the great war centenary COMMUNICATION

On the same “In the organisation of an “The public-oriented website extensive project such as The Great also includes news items and wavelength War Centenary (2014-18), it is crucial background information regarding that all parties involved are on the the commemoration and, because Tinne Jacobs, same wavelength”, says Tinne Jacobs, of the international nature of the Project Office assistant coordinator of the Project commemoration project, it is available The Great War Centenary (2014-18) Office. “That is why all agreements in four languages: in Dutch, French, regarding communication within the German and English. The website’s Flemish authorities have been compiled concept is interactive, with articles in a framework, including the use of that can be recommended and shared the logo, the press review, agreements on Facebook and Twitter and it regarding the use of the image archive, includes a forum where people who are cooperation with the Flemish Info interested in the Great War and the Line.” commemoration project of the Flemish authorities can communicate.” ■ “The digital communication regarding the commemoration project in its turn mainly takes place through the website www.2014-18.be. It is an audience-oriented website where the agenda plays an important part. There is an up-to-date calendar of all Great War events, set up by the authorities as well as by other organisers, which are included in CultuurNet Vlaanderen’s UiTDatabank and which are thus also available through many other public- oriented channels.” LOCAL

Every village “Every village and every town in “But battles were fought in other Flanders has its history and its link provinces as well, and many towns and every town with the Great War”, says Tinne Jacobs, and municipalities will commemorate assistant coordinator of the Project their history of the Great War. In the Tinne Jacobs, Office. “Therefore, it is The Great province of Antwerp, a project team Project Office War Centenary project’s intention to worked on the commemoration within The Great War Centenary (2014-18) organise a commemoration that enjoys the framework of the European project wide support, with Flemish initiatives The Great War between the lines. The as well as smaller, local, initiatives.” province of Limburg is bundling its programme under the denominator “After the war, memorials, Limburg 1914-1918: small stories in a remembrance sites or museums were Great War and Flemish Brabant is created in almost every Flemish developing a project called. The Great municipality where fighting took place War in the Brabantse Kouters. When and victims rest in many municipal life was survival. In East Flanders, the cemeteries. These local events, the Heritage units Meetjesland and Leie- heritage and the memory of these Schelde pay particular attention to local occurrences remain relevant and the theme of the Dodendraad (Wire of valuable to this very day.” Death).” “West Flanders is actively engaged “As part of the network of in this remembrance. At the level of Martyr Cities, the towns of Aarschot, the province, a policy steering group Dendermonde and Leuven, in is active and in cooperation with cooperation with the Walloon towns Westtoer, a programme office has been of Andenne, Dinant, Sambreville and created which has its seat in Diksmuide. Visé, develop a joint programme to With a budget of five million euros, commemorate the first days of the the war heritage has to be opened up Great War. Local and regional actors to cultural tourism. In addition, the also contribute to this.” ■ province develops a cultural programme each remembrance year which includes several events under the denominator Gone West. These programmes will last several weeks and will take place during the period of important historical commemorative moments.”

47 the great war centenary Colophon

Publisher Government of Flanders - Project Office The Great War Centenary (2014-18) Boudewijnlaan 30 bus 80, 1000 Brussels, Belgium www.2014-18.be / [email protected]

Coordination Joke Dieryckx, Government of Flanders - Project Office The Great War Centenary (2014-18)

Translation Government of Flanders - Department of Services for the General Government Policy

Photography Milo-profi fotografie, Arthur Los: p. 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 24, 28-29, 32, 36-37, 40 Westtoer: p. 8, 20-21

Graphic Design Guy Adam, Government of Flanders - Digital Printing Office Team

Printing Franky Van Varenberg,Government of Flanders - Digital Printing Office Team

Catalogue number d/2015/3241/263

Publication November 2015

The information contained in this brochure accurately reflects the current state of affairs in November 2014. For more information, please contact The Great War Centenary 2014-2018 Project Office or visit the project’s website.