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, “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.”

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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 builds on the efforts The publication is mainly being used and preparations that were made as an international promotional gift during the previous term of office. and contains personal testimonials Its explicit ambition is to establish of foreign ambassadors and members a humanitarian and internationally of the Protection Committee for oriented project, which has an enduring the Great War Centenary (2014-18) association with the peace motto ‘No Commemoration.” ■ More War’.”

Talbot House, Poperinge 13 the great war centenary

MEMORIAL GARDENS

Flourishing With the construction of Canberra memorial gardens between 2014 and symbols 2018 special homage is paid to all those On 4 April 2017, the Flanders of peace, who fought and died during the First Fields Memorial Garden was officially World War. These memorial gardens inaugurated in the Australian capital reconciliation will be landscaped in symbolically of Canberra. The memorial garden is and hope important places around the world with part of the Australian War Memorial soil from Flanders Fields. The gardens and pays tribute to the thousands of are an initiative of the Government Australian servicemen who fought and of Flanders which, together with died in Flanders Fields during the First its foreign partners, works on these World War. symbols of peace, reconciliation and Together with soil from all WW I hope for a better future. heritage sites in Australia, the garden also holds Flemish soil, symbolically London gathered at Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Menin Gate locations, Polygon Wood, The first memorial garden was Toronto Avenue Cemetery and Hill 60. officially inaugurated in London on 6 November 2014. The weekend after that this garden hosted a special Dublin educational programme. For the On 7 June 2017, the ‘Gathering of construction of this garden, school the soil’ was held at Wytschaete Military pupils from 65 Flemish schools, as well Cemetery for the Irish memorial as British pupils, collected soil from the garden. Flemish school children handed Commonwealth cemeteries in Belgium. two small boxes filled with soil to two They put this soil in sandbags which Irish children. This soil wil be used to each carried the name of the cemetery build a memorial garden in Dublin. from where the soil was taken. All these The cemetery holds the remains of one sandbags were then gathered at the In thousand Irish troops, many of whom Flanders Fields Museum. perished in the mine battle of Messines Ridge in 1917. ■

The Trench of Death, Diksmuide 15 the great war centenary

PEACE HYMN

There’d be In 2014, the Flemish Government This was followed by concerts commissioned Dirk Brossé, Jef Neve in Düsseldorf on 30 June 2016 and no war today, and Frederik Sioen to compose a hymn New York on 8 November 2017. These if mothers in commemoration of the First World concerts were in synch with the War, each of them approaching it from international remembrance agenda and all would say, their own specific background. The Flanders’ priorities as part thereof. result is a mosaic of unique moods, I didn’t raise my boy Further performances of the Peace poignant emotions and refined tonal Hymn are planned for 2018, both at to be a soldier. shades. The composition entitled home and abroad. ■ ‘Distortion - a Hymn to Liberty’ responds Alfred Bryan to the commemoration with a reflection (1871-1958) on war and peace and freedom. On Tuesday 21 April 2015, the composition premiered at Flagey cultural centre in Brussels. The concert was held on the eve of the commemoration of the first gas attacks during the First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony, Menin Gate, Ypres 17 the great war centenary HERITAGE

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

Menin Gate, 19 the great war centenary Ypres

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 Archivering (Flemish Archive Institute Memorial Day have been added to this – viaa) which, in association with list, so as to enhance the visibility of various cultural heritage partners, these examples of good practice and masterminded the ‘Nieuws van de Groote to keep exchanging knowledge about Oorlog’ (News from the Great War) them.” project. This flagship project which digitised the Belgian press, the trench “Exchanging knowledge is papers and pamphlets put out during also the explicit objective of faro, the First World War, is available for the Flemish Interface Centre for consultation at hetarchief.be. Another Cultural Heritage. In recent years, the project, conducted by the Ghent City support centre organised numerous Archives department and various other seminars, workshops and publications partners, also digitised the placards put on ‘100 jaar Groote Oorlog – Erfgoed, up by the German occupying power and herdenking, herinnering’ (Great War made them available for consultation.” Centenary Commemoration - Heritage, commemoration, remembrance) in “Many interesting searches for recent years. In 2017, FARO staged a cultural heritage are thus currently Winter School on Archives & Education, ongoing in the sector. Personal in tandem with The National Archives documents of people, whether they (UK). 2018 will be seeing an inspiration are on display in the In Flanders Fields bundle on the Great War Armistice Museum, have been registered on the Centenary Commemoration, in List of Items of Exceptional Importance association with the project secretariat or are popping up elsewhere: they for the ‘Great War Commemoration’.” tell the real stories. And raise a lot of questions. Who did the documents “And the focus on the belong to? What did the owners go commemorations goes beyond the through both during and after the war? Department of Cultural Heritage. The The answer is often very touching. That Arts Department is also supporting is why we must treasure this heritage arts projects centred around the more than ever.” ■ commemorations, and the Department of Media, Film and e-Culture is funding the Vlaams Instituut voor

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PRESS FROM THE GREAT WAR

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

The Yser Tower, Diksmuide 25 the great war centenary

TOURISM

What does the “As soon as circumstances allowed of a thorough analysis of the tourism it, people started to visit the landscapes potential. This is in keeping with our First World War of the war in the Westhoek region, philosophy of working with knowledge, still signify these days? like some sort of pilgrimage or out of with data: the same approach will also be curiosity”, says Lea Winkeler, Great War used during the commemoration years. It is almost Centenary Project Manager for Visit We assess the international awareness an existential question. Flanders. “Remembrance tourism has of Flanders and Flanders Fields as a thus existed since 1919 already and we destination for World War I tourism. For that reason alone, are building on that today. We suggest We measure the number of visitors, attracting visitors most ideas to people who are interested in where they hail from, which sites they definitely does not just this part of the past, we invite them visit and what they make of them. This to Flanders and make sure they find enables us to monitor developments, but have an economic the stories here they are looking for. also assess the impact of the resources side to it. We also provide all the supporting invested by Flemish society in these services, from guides to transport and remembrance activities.” accommodation. The quality of their Lea Winkeler, experience is always our main goal.” Visit Flanders Quality on the ground “This became even more “After the research comes the important given the growing interest action. Between 2010 and 2014 the in Flanders and Flanders Fields that Government of Flanders appropriated could be expected between 2014 15 million euros for The Great War and 2018 – and the fact that visitors Centenary Impulse Programme. This have indeed found their way to our programme allocated financial support remembrance sites. This didn’t only to 44 projects for the development or happen in 2014: also in 2017 - the improvement of their WWI offer, so centenary commemoration of the Battle as to enable them to give visitors the of Passchendaele, a.k.a. the Third Battle experience they are looking for and of Ypres - and the end of the war in expecting. Sometimes, this implies 2018 also resonate with a lot of people. improving a place of remembrance In order to be able to handle these by constructing a parking area or larger visitor flows responsibly, we have installing an essential information already initiated a plan of approach sign. Other times it is about unlocking in 2006, together with Westtoer, the stories that would otherwise escape autonomous agency for tourism of the our attention or about making large province of West Flanders, on the basis

In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres 27 the great war centenary strategic investments. We are proud, internationally and may serve as a for instance, of our five gateways to source of inspiration for dealing with the Westhoek region: the thoroughly other sensitive commemorative sites renovated and extended In Flanders around the world. It is a guideline for Fields Museum in Ypres, the renovated fine-tuning our thoughts.” and extended Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, the refurbished Accessibility Talbot House and the reinforced “Through its commemorative Lyssenthoek Cemetery in Poperinge, initiatives Visit Flanders is also aiming the renovated Yser Tower Museum in to increase the social capital. In other Diksmuide and the 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 policy term. However, in the meantime we areas. We must, however, at all times can at least make sure that people with keep our core objective in mind: to give disabilities receive detailed information visitors access to an important part of about the degree of accessibility. We history - which may in some cases be have gathered this information and are a very intimate and emotional family disseminating it both home and abroad. history. We are only too aware of how The importance of such information carefully we should approach tourism was emphasised, among other things, in this context. We call our approach at the World Travel Market in London ‘tourism+’. It combines seven principles, where we were presented with a world from respect for the victims, history accessibility award for this approach and relics, to multiple voices, deepening in 2013. It was a welcome signal to us and a message of peace. Our approach that we should continue to take steps, is highly regarded both nationally and although it is not an easy task.” Experience worldwide interest in the 30,000th rendition of the Last Post, the ceremony “A commemoration programme held each evening beneath Menin should also include high quality public Gate in Ypres. More recently, in 2017, events. Exhibitions, concerts and other the experimental, musical and visual cultural-artistic projects in Flanders outdoor spectacular ‘KraterFront’ (Crater together form an internationally Front) commemorated the Mine Battle.” relevant WWI agenda, thanks to, among others, project grants totalling “Temporary historical and art 11.7 million euros. A first group of historical exhibitions provide deeper projects received support for their interpretation of the events and create development in 2014 and 2015, a link to today’s world, or to the many whereas a second group was allocated sites in the remembrance landscape. grants for the last three years of the Often, personal stories are a major commemoration.” ingredient. In 2016, six strong women acted as the running theme of ‘De Zij- “Although it is practically kant van de Oorlog’ (The Side of the War, impossible to select only a few events but with the added meaning of “she from the almost endless offer, several side” in Flemish), an exhibition staged clusters can still be distinguished. at six locations around the Westhoek. Often, a concrete historical date is often The experiences of children provided grasped as an opportunity for building the material for ‘Oorlog in Korte Broek’ a cultural and/or participatory event (War in Short Trousers) in Ghent. The around it. Examples that come to mind exhibition circuit ‘1917. Totale Oorlog include the Antwerp project which in in Vlaanderen’ (1917 – Total War in 2014 commemorated the evacuation Flanders) not only included historical of the city by recreating a pontoon sites, but also shed light on the bridge which was crossed by no less personal experiences of soldiers who than 85,000 people. In 2015, there was fought in the Battle of Passchendaele.”

Grieving Parents (detail) by Käthe Kollwitz, German military cemetery, 29 the great war centenary Vladslo (Diksmuide)

31 the great war centenary “The artistic ‘Coming World about our Region and to kindling their Remember Me’ project, which has been interest in it. The Great War Centenary up and running since 2014, really commemoration represents a vital link captures the imagination. People get to in this and in this context we are not build their own statuette at workshops, just talking about countries such as with each statuette representing one Great Britain, The Netherlands, France, of the 600,000 people who were killed Germany or the United States.” during the First World War on Belgian “Our head office in Brussels also soil, civilians and troops alike, hailing crosses boundaries by launching a from every corner of the globe. They general communication campaign. will be brought together as part of a A very dynamic component of this landscape installation in 2018 in the campaign is our Facebook page where former no man’s land just outside we create an international community Ypres: a powerful symbol, both of the by posting messages about historical suffering caused by the war and of the facts and about which activities are healing and peace-inspiring strength of organised in Flanders in relation to remembrance.” these facts. We already have 142,000 followers and their numbers continue Spread the word to grow. What is even more touching “With such a high-quality offer is that they are very active. They post and strong agenda we want to attract memories or pictures of their great- potential international visitors to grandfathers who fought in Flanders Flanders. A third, important part and share interesting messages with of our programme is thus the active each other. Commemorating together is communication abroad. In many actually a reality here.” locations around the world Visit “Another example is The Mud Flanders representatives are committed Soldier, which we installed in the on a daily basis to informing the run-up to the Passchendaele (2017) professional travel sector and reporters remembrance activities. At the heart of this initiative was a ’sand sculpture’ “As I work on this Visit Flanders on Trafalgar Square in the centre of remembrance project, not a day goes London. It showed a weary, seated by without something touching me. At soldier. Using an ingenious sprinkling the outset, we assumed that this could system, the sculpture was reduced well be the last time we will be able to to mud in a matter of a days. It ‘reanimate’ the commemoration of the commemorated the many victims First World War on such a large scale and the inhuman conditions of and make people truly realise the sense Passchendaele, where the weather and and nonsense of it. There are no direct the muddy landscape were almost as witnesses left and soon our emotional lethal as the unrelenting shelling by the connection to this story may start to enemy troops. The Mud Soldier not only fade, as may our natural curiosity about caught the attention of the thousands how this war could ever take place and of passers-by on Trafalgar Square, it what impact it has on today’s society. also drew extensive media coverage in What we can learn from it today. It is a wide number of countries. We posted almost an existential question.” a Mud Soldier video on social media, to “Attracting visitors for the which we linked messages giving people commemoration definitely has an more details of the commemorative economic side to it, but it is about so activities in Flanders, and even included much more. When a Frenchman visits referrals to travel package deals.” his grandfather’s grave here, this is a “These and other actions were deep personal experience. When a bus intended to maintain awareness of of British school children visit Ypres ‘Flanders Fields’ among those who feel and the surrounding area, it makes stirred by the history and the many them reflect on war and peace, on their personal tales of the First World War country’s history and on the solidarity throughout the entire duration of the with other people. It is our duty to remembrance period. We are confident make sure this is the most meaningful that our efforts will continue to support experience of their lives.” ■ remembrance tourism to Flanders, even beyond 2018.”

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, the protection to soldiers are now excellent international symbol for the many shelters for bats. In other places as well, victims of the First World War. Since nature has shown its resilience and new 2014, our agency has been training life has sprouted from the destruction. the spotlight on the poppy by sowing We want to keep taking care of this new poppy fields on our estates. In 2017, we provided 73 partners who joined this source of stories. When not being used We are keen to bring the Great project with free poppy sowing seed, as a practice ground or battleground, War commemorations to a worthy which - combined - accounts for 30.5 they were a favourite place for grubbing and respectful conclusion by planting, ha. Together with the 53 ha of fields or taking shelter. These estates also together with many town and cities, under direct management, 2017 offered act as the backdrop for remembrance a tree of peace on 11 November 2018 some 83.5 hectares of poppies scattered projects we will be setting until 2018.” - a memorial tree that references the across Flanders. “ ancient tradition of perpetuating the “In 2017, the focus was on memory of pivotal moments in life by In 2018, we are going for the Polygon Wood, where a symbolic planting a tree. All towns and cities symbolic 100 hectares, along with Vredesbos (Wood of Peace) was have been invited to join in, many our partners. On our website we planted. 523 standard trees keep alive of which have already responded are posting photos of the fields in the memory of each of the 523 fallen favourably.” ■ full bloom. We are also mapping out soldiers who have been identified cycling routes that take cyclists along and laid to rest at the two cemeteries the flowering fields. All cycling routes in and around Polygon Wood. In have been neatly gathered in a Dutch 2017, we already had numerous and an English brochure, available commemorative events in the Wood for download from our website, truly of Peace. On the occasion of ANZAC making Flanders Fields into the fields Day, this was where a work of art was ‘where the poppies blow’.” inaugurated and the ambassadors of the five countries concerned planted “We are also shining the spotlight a tree of remembrance. In September on other areas. We have singled out and October, the wood was visited seven key estates, each with their own by Australian and New Zealand past rooted in the Great War. These descendants of those killed in action, seven estates are: Drie Fonteinen paying their respects at the tree (Three Fountains) park, Polygoonbos planted in memory of their long lost (Polygon Wood), Mastenbos (Masten relative. In 2018, the focus will be on Wood), Mechelse Heide (Mechlin Koppenbergbos (Copper Mountain Heath), Galgebossen (Gallows’ Woods), Wood) outside Oudenaarde, where Koppenbergbos (Copper Mountain troops fought during the final days of Wood) and Praatbos (Talking Wood). the war. Each of these places is entwined with the war in its own way and acts as a

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

37 the great war centenary

AGRICULTURE

The focus is always on “The travelling exhibition entitled themselves. The website is regularly Boter bij de vis (a time-honoured Flemish padded out with new stories and research military strategies and expression which literally translates resources.” as ‘butter with the fish’, meaning you the victims, which is “In addition to making the story pay cash for the products or services behind food and farming during the First justified of course, yet you buy) introduces visitors to World War accessible to the public, the everyday life during the First World agriculture and food Agriculture and Fisheries Department War. The exhibition centres on the encourages academic research into supplies provided for dire food situation and the ingenuity these topics. Since November 2014, a the daily necessities. of the Belgian population and its research project has been underway farmers. In 2017 and 2018, the Boter in association with the Interfaculty bij de vis exhibition will be taking in Gert Luypaert, Centre for Agricultural History (ICAG, Department of Agriculture various locations around Flanders. Leuven University), entitled ‘World War and Fisheries The full schedule is detailed on www. I and restoration. The reconstruction of boterbijdeviswo1.be. Alongside the countryside and landscape in Flanders travelling exhibition (which primarily after the Great War’. The project’s aim tells the broader background story), the is to deliver new insights into way the partners hosting the exhibition will also countryside and its farms were rebuilt, devise a more local , regional or themed and to provide a better understanding of component of their own. In 2018 too, the mechanisms behind this recovery. the exhibition’s hosts are set to reach out In the spring of 2018, the first research to primary school and lower secondary results will be presented at a seminar school children. The educational booklet that will assume the form of an that accompanies the exhibition enables inspirational event, aimed at making the the children to discover the story behind restoration heritage available to wider World War I, as they get to flesh out this audiences. For the organisation of the story in their own diary during their visit content and the practicalities of the to Boter bij de Vis. This diary is also a event, the organisers are working with memento of the exhibition for them to the Agricultural History Centre (CAG) take home.” and other partners from the domain of “The thematic heritage conservation. This inspirational www.boterbijdeviswo1.be website tells event constitutes the stepping stone to the stories of wartime food supply an international conference to be held and soup kitchens. A wide number in 2019, where recent scientific insights of wartime cookery booklets are now into the rehabilitation of the countryside available in digital form, enabling anyone in Belgium and other countries are to be interested to try out these recipes for unfolded.” ■ Flanders Fields, Mesen 39 the great war centenary

MARITIME SERVICES AND COAST

We have restored “One of the major episodes of the Maandijk in Ostend by King Albert ii. First World War in Flanders was the On the occasion of this centenary the protagonists flooding of the Yser plains which halted commemoration the bow section has of two legendary the advancing German army in October been placed in its definitive location on 1914. This was done at the Ganzepoot, a the new eastern longitudinal dike.” chapters in Flanders’ lock complex at Nieuwpoort, where six “This is how we manage to save rivers flow out into the North Sea”, says Great War to their the protagonists of two legendary Elias Van Quickelborne of the Coast chapters in Flanders’ Great War from former glory. Department. oblivion. It is a beautiful reminder at Elias Van Quickelborne, “Therefore, the Ganzepoot is a the coast for fishermen, residents and Agency for Maritime Services historical witness, which was, however, tourists” and Coast entirely destroyed during the First World War. The complex was rebuilt WW I, the battle for the North soon after, but these past few years Sea it urgently required a facelift. A small At the impetus of the Provincial part of the bank was on the verge of Executive of West Flanders and the collapsing, which is why our agency Flanders Marine Institute, and with the decided to rebuild that section. In support of Visit Flanders, an exhibition addition, the top layer of most of the is set to open its doors in Bruges on other banks was renewed as well. This 23 April 2018. It focuses on the war that is how we restored the complex, located was waged at sea during WW I. The close to the famous Albert I monument, exhibition exaamines the naval forces to its original state and gave back some of both sides during the war, and takes of its former glory.” a closer look at the raids on the ports of “Another important monument Zeebrugge and Ostend. Remembrance worthy of our attention is the hms activities are also being organised in Vindictive. This ship was sunk by the association with the United Kingdom British in May 1918 at the Ostend and Germany. ■ port channel to obstruct the German u-boats. This important blockship was recovered in 1920 and its bow section was converted into a monument, which was recently restored and inaugurated in May 2013 at the Halve

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

This was a unique Following in the footsteps of the Kraterfront past commemorative years, the VRT is opportunity: digging also including programmes on the Great 100 years ago, on 7 June 2017, up 100-year old War centenary commemorations in its Zero Hour marked the time when 2016 and 2017 broadcasting schedule. a series of mines in the Messines stories about death An update with a look ahead at 2018. area were detonated. As part of this and destruction, life commemoration and the ‘Kraterfront’ ‘Onder Vlaamse Velden’ (Crater Front) event in the Westhoek, and survival. Radio 2 West Flanders made a four- Continuing the successful part series of radio broadcasts, packed Arnout Hauben furrow ploughed with the ‘Ten Oorlog’ with stories linked to objects from the (Going to War) series, the autumn of First World War. The series was aired 2016 saw a three-part series entitled from Tuesday 6 June through Friday ‘Onder Vlaamse Velden’ (Underneath 9 June 2017 as part of the regional Flemish Fields). After walking the daily lunchtime radio programme. The entire frontline from Nieuwpoort news bulletins on radio, TV and the all the way down to Gallipoli for ‘Ten deredactie.be website too reported oorlog’, Arnout Hauben took Eén (the on the international commemoration VRT’s flagship TV station) viewers on of the historical Mine Battle, which an exploratory trip around the West was attended by representatives from Flemish clay in prime time. On the trail domestic and foreign governments and of a team of archaeologists, he literally royal households. delved into the past of the First World War. The exceptional finds made for Centenary commemoration of special stories. The excavations not only the Battle of Passchendaele exposed weaponry and ammunitions, trenches and shelters, but also human The summer and the autumn remains. of 2017 trained the spotlight on the commemorative events surrounding the Battle of Passchendaele. On Sunday 30 July, Eén (VRT 1) aired a compilation of the ‘Ten Oorlog’ series, followed by the live broadcast of the remembrance event on Ypres’s Central Market Square, which attracted 923,746 viewers. Starting on Friday 28 July 2017, On the occasion of the Australian 2018: the spring and final there was a re-run of the international remembrance ceremony on 26 offensive and Armistice five-part hit series ‘Parade’s End’, September, the VRT’s video platform featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and VRT NU posted the ‘Vermist aan het In 2018, the topics of the spring Rebecca Hall in the starring roles, which front’ (Missing at the Front) VRT and final offensive and the Great War was largely shot in Flanders with a documentary on the identification armistice centenary commemorations Flemish crew. of Australian servicemen. The dawn will take pride of place in the offering ceremony at Polygon Wood in on radio, TV and online. On 31 July 2017, 153,725 Canvas Zonnebeke was streamed live that very (VRT 2) viewers watched the British Canvas has already agreed to join morning by the VRT and broadcast on ceremony held at Tyne Cot cemetery in ’Waterfront’, the large-scale public Canvas and Australian television. in Zonnebeke. In addition, Canvas participation project of Gone West. showed the ’Drie dagen in augustus The stories about Passchendaele As part of the project, there is to be a 1914’ (Three Days in August 1914) TV continue to stir Flemish viewers 100 ’Radio Gaga De Luxe’ presented by Joris documentary, about the first days of years after the events, as shown by Hessel and Dominique Van Malder, the war in Belgium, featuring gripping the great sense of engagement and who will be gathering personal stories testimonials. the response to the related articles on and messages before and after the the social media platforms of the VRT Waterfront from the participants. ■ The television and radio news, the broadcasting stations. VRT’s current affairs programmes, and the VRT NWS website comprehensively Those who wish to immerse covered the Australian, New Zealand themselves in the history of the First and Canadian remembrance ceremonies World War should log on to www. on the occasion of the centenary deredactie.be/VRT NWS for the week- commemoration of the Battle of on-week updates on the vagaries of the Passchendaele. The special ‘14-18’ war that unfolded in Flanders Fields feature on the vrtnws.be website 100 years ago and background stories. was supplemented with a three-part longread which told the story of Passchendaele in texts, images and information graphics. This saw the VRT incorporate new forms of storytelling, geared to smartphone and tablet users’ digital reading comfort.

43 the great war centenary EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Let us break “Obviously our history has its Cultuurkuur (Culture Cure) numbers, and there is a lot of chemistry down walls involved when it comes to chemical “The comprehensive offering warfare. As part of religious or non- is made available for consultation Dirk Terryn, denominational ethics classes you can on www.cultuurkuur.be, which lists canon Cultural Unit, Department of wonder what the peace concept implies the current actions, events and calls Education and Training exactly. We can come up with plenty as part of the Great War Centenary more examples of how the First World Commemoration. Here is where cultural War can be integrated into lessons in partners and schools present their primary and secondary education”, says own schemes for each other’s benefit, Dirk Terryn of canon, the Cultural offering background information Unit of the Department of Education and tools for a quality approach to and Training. remembrance in the classroom. In doing so, Cultuurkuur is the ultimate “However, we need to be realistic: gathering ground for ideas to help teachers already have a lot to deal each other with cultural inspiration. with and even if they are prepared to No one needs to work on their own adopt a creative approach to a theme and reinvent the wheel at every turn. such as the war - which is often the Find inspiration in one another … case - they sometimes can no longer see this in itself should relieve a lot of the the wood for the trees. Which is why, pressure.” in 2014, we gathered the best ideas in ‘Commemorating the Great War in the “The Archive for Education Classroom’.” caters for teachers looking for visual aids, gathered by teachers (in the VRT archives, and elsewhere). In other words, ready to use. Inspiring materials on the Great War for primary and secondary schools alike are just a click away at https://onderwijs.hetarchief. be/themas/100-jaar-groote-oorlog. We also bring together student teachers and disseminate the material they have collected on this topic. We help them come up with ideas on how to use archives and resources.” Cultuur in de Spiegel (Culture in “Strictly speaking, the First the mirror) World War is not on the curriculum of each teacher in primary education or “Culture is vital to man and each specialist teacher in secondary society: culture is what enables us education. However, one can adopt a to reflect, speak and write, express broad approach to the curriculum. It ourselves and lend shape and meaning is a subject that sets a lot of things in to things. We understand one another motion and which is on the news. And through shared meaning. Cultural so I say: let us break down walls and competences are key skills that think in a project-based way. There is a everybody needs, throughout their lot of movement surrounding this topic life and in every imaginable context. and things are picked up by the news Rethinking and reflecting on war in on a regular basis. Waiting until the general is also closely in keeping with textbooks or the teaching plan raise the the reference framework we have topic would be a missed opportunity. devised together with the education I believe that every teacher can add providers and researchers of HIVA his or her personal touch to this (Research Institute for Work and commemoration, which is a huge Society)/Leuven University and VUB. added value for the generation that is Alongside the much needed transfer currently growing up.” ■ of knowledge, cultural education is the best way to process information and to lend (new) meaning…”

45 the great war centenary

COMMUNICATION

On the same “In the organisation of an “We also conduct science extensive project such as The Great communication via substantive wavelength War Centenary (2014-18), it is crucial projects. To this end, in 2014 that all parties involved are on the the department entered into a Tinne Jacobs, same wavelength”, says Tinne Jacobs, partnership with Scriptie not-for-profit Project Office assistant coordinator of the Project organisation, to organise a ‘Great War The Great War Centenary (2014-18) Office. “That is why all agreements Centenary Commemoration Dissertation regarding communication within the Award’. Over a five-year period – from Flemish authorities have been compiled 2014 through 2018 – the organisation in a framework, including the use of behind the Award will push Bachelor the logo, the press review, agreements and Master dissertations on the First regarding the use of the image archive, World War into the limelight and cooperation with the Flemish Info single out the best dissertations of Line.” praise. To this end, the dedicated www. scriptieprijs2014-18.be website has been “The digital communication designed.” ■ 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 UiTDatabank by Publiq and which are thus also available through many other public-oriented channels.”

Belgian Christmas letter on textile, In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres 47 the great war centenary Colophon

Publisher Government of Flanders - Project Office The Great War Centenary (2014-18) Havenlaan 88 bus 80, 1000 Brussels, Belgium www.2014-18.be / [email protected]

Photography Milo-profi fotografie, Arthur Los: p. 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 24, 28-29, 32, 36-37, 38, 40, 46 Westtoer: p. 8, 20-21

Catalogue number D/2017/3241/371

Publication February 2018

The information contained in this brochure accurately reflects the current state of affairs in December 2017. For more information, please contact The Great War Centenary 2014-2018 Project Office or visit the project’s website.