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
History
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
How did World War 1 start?
What led to 16 million people losing their lives? And what were the key battles in Flanders, Belgium?
The Royal Greenhouses of Brussels. Brutality beneath the beauty
For three weeks every spring, the phenomenal Royal Greenhouses in Laken are open to the public (in 2016: from 15 April until 6 May). They are… Read More »The Royal Greenhouses of Brussels. Brutality beneath the beauty
Bizarre Belgium: Baarle-Hertog and Baarle-Nassau
A Belgian village that’s not in Belgium? Or is it? Visit the remarkable Baarle-Hertog and you might end up with more questions than answers.
500 years of Mercator
Gerardus Mercator was a geographer, cartographer, scientific instrument maker and mathematician. Born on 5 March 1512, his mapping technique, the Mercator projection, changed the way… Read More »500 years of Mercator