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Marking the Centenary of the Armistice in Flanders Fields
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the First World War officially came to an end with the signing of the Armistice. The guns fell silent and a war that lasted four years and four months, finally came to an end.
Flanders marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice with a series of special events as well as permanent memorials in Flanders Fields.
Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate
Since 1928, buglers have sounded the Last Post under the arches of the Menin Gate memorial in remembrance of the fallen, at precisely 8 p.m. every evening.
This moving ceremony has become part of the local daily life in Ypres, however to mark the Armistice, there will be a special Last Post on Sunday 11 November at 11a.m. The ceremony will also be screened live from the Market Square.
Poppy Waterfall
The poppy will forever be an iconic symbol of remembrance. on 11 November St. Georges’ Memorial Church in Ypres will be inaugurating an impressive waterfall installation of 8,000 handmade poppies which will flow from the church tower into the garden. Built in 1927 to honour fallen British and Commonwealth soldiers, this Anglican church is itself a unique memorial to visit, providing a place of quiet reflection.
Field of Remembrance
In the build up to the Armistice remembrance events, The Royal British Legion has been planting thousands of artificial poppies in green spaces above the ramparts, next to the Menin Gate.
Each bears a personal message of gratitude to the First World War generation. For those looking to leave their own message, there are poppies available to plant at The Royal British Legion shop on the Market Square.
The Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium where the Last Post has been played every evening at 8pm since 1928
To End All Wars
Timed with the end of the centenary of the Great War approaching, the In Flanders Fields Museumin Ypres takes a look at the real consqueneces of this great battle.
The peace that ensued after the war finished ended up creating the cause of many later conflicts and so this exhibition, using unique objects and images tells that story. Drawing upon personal stories and factual documents, the temporary exhibition is both thought provoking and informative in its presentation.
Hill 80 - Debrief and Findings
In 2015 a team of archaeologists discovered an extraordinarily well-preserved trench fortress near the village of Wijtschate in Belgium. Wijtschate had been captured by the Germans at the end of 1914, and they built a formidable fortress on a ridge top known as ‘Hill 80’.
In 1917, it was breached by the Allies during the Battle of Messines. Together with Peter Doyle, a leading British military historian, Simon Verdegem, lead archaeologist and German history expert, Robin Schäfer initiated a crowd-funded project with support from historian Dan Snow and comedian Al Murray.
VISITFLANDERS will also be looking at how this and other remembrance events in the region, will continue to preserve the memory of this important period in our history. Buglers will continue to play the Last Post at Menin Gate for ‘in perpetuity’ whilst cemeteries and memorials will continue to be visited by thousands.
Battlefield walks started in the region in 1919 with Talbot House creator, Tubby Clayton and this interest in the region, will continue to live on. Hill 80's findings help impart the story about the importance of preserving history ‘for future generations’ as well as preaching a message of peace and reconciliation and Visit Flanders looks forward to sustain this interest beyond the end of the current centenary commemorations.
The 'War To End All Wars'
Exhibition
officially recognised and the celebration of freedom is being marked in a series of events and anniversaries all over Europe. Flanders is no exception.
A number of events will take place all over Flanders and Europe this year and on 7-8 September, the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Antwerp (Flanders, Belgium) during the Second World War!
On the occasion of the commemoration of the Liberation, the city is organising various events.
The Liberation Days is one of the highlights.
suffering, destruction and loss of life, Belgium also suffered as a nation during the Second World War too.
This year, marks the 75th anniverary of the liberation of of Europe. In fact it was on 6 June 1944 that the Allies landed in Normandy on what is known as D-Day.
During the following days, the British and American Forces liberated Belgium including Brussels, Antwerp and various places in Flanders.
Now, 75 years on, the liberation is being
The events start off with a unique 7km paradewith 100 historic andcontemporary military and civilian vehicles, accompanied by marching bands and actors. 15 historic planes will join in a fly-over over the Scheldt, where boats will sail ina historic flotilla.
In the evening, a grand spectacle will take place here. The following day, the liberation parade follows on to the north of the city with a display of aircraft as well as frigates on the Schelde River promising a memorable weekend for all visitors.
When an Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, it was said to put an end to the war to end all wars. Nothing could have been further from the truth. While the war ended in Western Europe, it didn’t in the east of Europe.
Age-old empires vanished, and new countries emerged on paper. Lines on maps would henceforth determine the new future of hundreds of millions of people. This exhibition in the Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres tells the story of what unfolded in history.
Whilst the First World War is synonymous with large scale