The Province of Namur at the Heart of the Great War
THE PROVINCE OF NAMUR AT THE HEART OF THE GREAT WAR Axel Tixhon Mélodie Brassinne Philippe Bragard VISITOR’S GUIDE ENGLISH 2 Provincial monument, Namur. EDITORIAL “Under the leadership of his command, Captain- Commander Lentrée has opposed the enemy attacks with a valiant defense, in which the garrison showed bravery and firmness. The fortified structure only fell after the complete destruction of all its cupolas by enemy artillery”. Fort of Saint Héribet, Province of Namur, 1919 (Citation in the Order of the Army). The First World War has left traces of violence and 3 suffering, but also of support and solidarity, and it left a long-lasting imprint in History. The traces of the conflict across the province, though often overlooked, are very present. Cemeteries, forts, headstones, memorials, street names or places invite the visitor, regardless of age or nationality, to get back into history, to touch the names of victims engraved in marble and set in stone with his fingers. Through this contribution, the Province of Namur and its Tourism Federation want to commemorate this part of history that is becoming eroded by time. The making of this guide is part of the numerous regional, local, provincial, and federal projects that will emerge in the commemoration events from 2014 to 2018, as as many actions against oblivion: exhibitions, shows, activities for the youth, educational trips, etc. In decades to come, the memory of those, known and unknown, who died for peace, will be honored. It is for this same peace that the Province of Namur is mobilizing now. The provincial College INTRODUCTION Between 1914 and 1945, Europe experiences one of the most tragic episodes in its history.
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