THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY in Flanders
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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 3 the great war centenary INTRODUCTION Coming to terms “In a fitting and serene manner, “Another objective of the project that is how Flanders wants to is to create among present and future with the past, commemorate the 100th anniversary generations in Flanders an awareness drawing lessons of the First World War”, according to of the significance of tolerance, Pierre Ruyffelaere, General Project intercultural dialogue and international for the future Office Coordinator. “To that end it has understanding. This is the only way launched The Great War Centenary that we can foster an open and tolerant Pierre Ruyffelaere Project (2014-18), which aims to put society, come to terms with our past Project Office the world conflict in a broader context. and draw lessons from it for the future.” The Great War Centenary (2014-18) This project does not just focus on war “Finally, special attention is and peace, but also on remembrance, devoted to commemorative tourism, or awareness-raising and the European tourism that offers a place for meaning idea.” and reflection.” ■ “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.” 5 the great war centenary PROTECTION COMMITTEE Treasure your empathy A project can only be successful Court), Herman Van Rompuy (Minister if it has a solid sounding board. That of State and honorary European and treasure peace is why the Government of Flanders Council President), Etienne Vermeersch officially installed a Protection (professor emeritus and honorary Rudi Vranckx Committee for the Great War Centenary vice-chancellor of Ghent University), member of Commemoration on 13 December Marc Vervenne (professor emeritus the Protection Committee 2012. This committee is composed of and honorary chancellor of Catholic authoritative figures with different University of Leuven) and Rudi Vranckx social backgrounds. They all lend their (journalist). names to The Great War Centenary According to Rudi Vranckx, “we (2014-18) project and, drawing on can no longer ignore history, but we their own experience, launch ideas and can hope to learn from it. That is why proposals for the further elaboration you should treasure your empathy and of the commemorative activities. treasure peace.” ■ 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 (honorary 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 Grieving soldiers, by Emil Krieger, German military cemetery, Langemark 7 the great war centenary PROJECT OFFICE Engine and “An ambitious project such as “At the second level the Project the Great War Centenary project Office reports and monitors the one-stop shop requires good management. For this project’s progress and lists the purpose the Government of Flanders many initiatives organised by the Pierre Ruyffelaere has established a Project Office which Government of Flanders. In addition, Project Office acts as some kind of one-stop-shop it directs the central project group. The Great War Centenary (2014-18) within the Flemish administration This group constitutes the platform for for the preparation, coordination and the coordination of and information monitoring of the project”, says Pierre exchange about the Government of Ruyffelaere, General Project Office Flanders’ commemorative activities. Coordinator. Moreover, the central project group and the Project Office make sure permanent “It operates at three levels: consultation and information exchange international, Flemish and local. take place between the different At the first level the Project partners and levels.” Office makes an inventory of the “At the third level the Project international remembrance ceremonies Office is responsible for targeted to be held in Flanders and abroad communication on the project in order between 2014 and 2018. It also maps to ensure that all interested parties in out the plans of foreign authorities to Flanders are informed about it. Besides, invest in commemorative monuments it identifies stakeholders that may in Flanders Fields and formulates contribute to the project.” ■ actual proposals for the organisation of international commemorations in Flanders during this centenary commemoration period.” 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.fdfa.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 INTERNATIONAL Worldwide “Soldiers from no fewer than 50 “Since the commemoration has modern-day nations were involved in a global character, the Government cooperation the military operations in the Westhoek of Flanders will actively support region. This shows from the 2007 study international cooperation, in the first Koen Verlaeckt conducted by the Flemish Foreign place with its priority partners, such Flanders Department Policy Research Centre and it implies as the United Kingdom, but also with of Foreign Affairs that many of these nations are now Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, in the process of preparing their own France, Germany, Canada, Australia, national commemoration agenda”, says New Zealand, Ireland and the United Koen Verlaeckt, Secretary-General of States.” the Flanders Department of Foreign “The construction of memorial Affairs. “In the preparation of these gardens and the organisation of events, timely coordination and remembrance concerts and public information exchange are essential. outreach activities are crucial and Plenty of steps have already been special instruments for promoting this taken to that end, like the bilateral international cooperation.” agreements which Flanders concluded with New Zealand and Australia.” “One last point of focus is the publication 14-18. 100 Years On, written “For the centenary by journalist Katrien Steyaert and commemoration the Government of published by wpg Uitgevers België. Flanders actively