Belgium and The First World War

1. Belgium and The First World War

2. Belgium Commemorating WWI • Why ? • Violation of international public law through German invasion • One of the few (almost) totally occupied countries during WWI • One of the major battlefields of WWI (Flanders Fields) • All-out war with far-reaching consequences for civilians : massacres, deportations, starvation, looting… BUT ALSO : resistance against the enemy, bravery, fighting for national independence, solidarity… AND : a new country (politics, economy, society…) came out of WWI

3. Belgium commemorating WWI • What for ? Our conceptual approach • WWI is a landmark in history : the activities we organize or support should have a clear and undoubted historic relevance • Commemorating WWI is - first and foremost paying tribute to the sacrifices of all involved -highlighting an international solidarity, sometimes “from the uttermost end of the world”, on which lasting partnerships have been built - ensuring that collective memory of events will continue to be kept by the next generation -re-affirming fundamental principles and values (solidarity, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms…)

4. Key dates and events to commemorate On 4th August 1914, the German troops invaded Belgium. This violation of Belgian neutrality triggered the entry into war of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

5. Stage I. Commemorating the War of Movement Cities resist invasion Liège and Mons on August, 4th, 2014 ►national commemoration involving federal, regional, provincial and local authorities ►high-level international participation (AUS, FR, UK, DE…) ►paying tribute to the fallen soldiers (military ceremony) ►paying tribute to the civilians (events for the general public)

6. Stage II. In between the War of Movement and the Trench Warfare Commemorating the resistance of the Belgian army and population around Ypres Ypres and Nieuwpoort, October, 28th, 2014 ►national commemoration involving federal, regional, provincial and local authorities ►high-level international participation (FR,UK,DE…) ►paying tribute to King Albert as King-Soldier and his troops (military ceremonies) ►paying tribute to the sufferings of the local population (events for the general public in the Ypres area)

7. Stage III. A major turning-point in modern warfare : First gas attack: 22 April 1915 ► Federal government will support commemorative initiatives (political, scientific…) linked to the prohibition of chemical weapons

8. Stage IV. Ordinary citizens and the Royal Family : united in resisting the enemy • In 1915, Brussels will host commemorative activities focusing on : - Ordinary life in occupied Belgium - Resistance against the German rule - One country united behind its King and Queen

9. Stage V. 1917 : The battles of Ypres (Messines, Hill 60, Passchendaele…)

10. Stage VI. 11 November 1918 : Celebrating victory and starting reconstructing Belgium • Popular happening in Brussels and other cities and towns on Armistice Day • Focus on : - the benefits of peace - the international solidarity towards Belgium - the changes WWI brought to modern society in our country

11. Australia-Belgium Commemorations2017 as special Year In Belgium joint projects to be developed around : - ANZAC Day 2017 : expressing our gratitude to Australia and building bridges between past and future - June-Nov 2017 : paying tribute to the dead and wounded and highlighting some less known features of the events (life behind the frontline, auxiliary troops…) - shared memories of our common past (exploiting private and public archives, highlighting personal stories…)

12. 2017 : Official Commemorations • ANZAC Day - In the presence of the highest Australian authorities (Government + Armed Forces) - Involvement of all relevant Belgian authorities “Together we remember the sacrifices made for our freedom and we pay tribute to the dead and wounded”

13. 2017 : The Battles of Ypres Milestone in our common history and memory Focus on the next generation From Belgium to Australia • Common remembrance education projects about the life stories of our relatives in and around the battlefields ► Live and Remember ► school exchanges • Communities-to-communities linkages • Activities around Heritage and Remembrance Trails

14. 2017 : The Battles of Ypres • Works of art and WWI artifacts on loan from Belgian and Australian museums (Australian War Memorial, Memorial Museum Passchendaele, Royal Army Museum…) • Travelling exhibition to Australia and NZ “The Belgians have not forgotten” • Stage and screen and much more…

15. Questions ?

16. Links • Authorities • Federal website on the Commemorations • http://www.be14-18.be/en • Commemoration of the First World War in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FR)   • www.commemorer14-18.be • Commemoration of the First World War in Flanders • www.2014-18.be • http://www.visitflanders.com • Partners • Institute of Veterans –War Invalids, Ex-Combatants and War Victims • www.warveterans.be • In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres • www.inflandersfields.be • Last post at the Menin Gate in Ypres • www.lastpost.be • The Memorial Museum of Passcendaele 1917 • www.passchendaele.be