Remembering the Battle of Passchendaele
July 1917 saw the start of the Battle of Passchendaele. Here are three ways to remember.
History
Walking where many had fallen
Two walks that take you through the heart of Flanders Fields to some of the most poignant World War One cemeteries.
Belgian woodcarver discovers stolen English coat of arms
Outstanding detective work by Belgian woodcarver Patrick Damiaens led to a valuable carving being reunited with its home in England decades after being lost.
The turbulent history of Voeren
For such a lovely, peaceful and bucolic area of Belgium, Voeren has quite a stormy past. Discover the history of Voeren.
Canadians in Belgium: 1914-18
An exhibition at the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres focuses on the contribution of Canadian soldiers in the First World War
Talbot House: A shelter amidst the storm
Talbot House in Poperinge is one of the most evocative First World War sites in Belgium. It was used by soldiers for rest and relaxation before returning to the Front. It’s still very much as it used to be 100 years ago.
Armistice Day 1918: What Happened Next?
Armistice Day 1918 marked the end of the First World War. We tend to think “phew, that was that!” and believe that people could finally get “back to normal”. But to the Flemish returning to Flanders Fields, they were greeted by desolation and danger. It marked the start of a huge clear-up of the devastated landscape.
Tongerlo Abbey, Mechelen: The marvel of Flemish tapestries
Flanders was renowned for its beautiful tapestries from the 15th century onwards. A Saturday morning visit to Tongerlo Abbey in Mechelen will open your eyes to the beauty of Flemish tapestries.
Belgian Heritage Day: A guide for aliens
Mostly everyone in Flanders knows that the first Sunday after the Easter Holidays is the annual Heritage Day (Erfgoeddag). But if you’ve recently arrived in Flanders from a different planet, here’s a short guide to what it’s all about.
Why Belgium should be proud of what happened on 19 April 1943
Yesterday morning I was out on my bike, cycling along the River Dijle – more of that in another post. But while heading towards my destination I happened to make a brief stop at a railway crossing in Boortmeerbeek to check my map, and saw this unusual street name – XXste Konvooistraat – 20th Convoy Street.
Read More »Why Belgium should be proud of what happened on 19 April 1943
The Belgian draft horse
The Belgian draft horse is a spectacular animal. We look at its history, evolution, and current usage in Belgium and America.
Animals in the First World War
The horror of war extends beyond the human tragedy. Over 8 million horses died during the First World War