SYMBOLIC LIGHTING AT UNIQUE REFLECTION MOMENT 'SILENT CITY MEETS LIVING CITY' 

On Saturday 14 October 2017, the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 and the municipality of Zonnebeke, with support from Toerisme Vlaanderen, organise a unique and free reflection moment at CWGC Tyne Cot Cemetery. 'Silent City Meets Living City' commemorates the more than 450,000 casualties who fell during the Battle of Passchendaele between 31 July and 10 November 1917. With nearly 12,000 graves and 35,000 names on the monument to the missing, CWGC Tyne Cot Cemetery is the most important silent witness of this battle. The organisers are still looking for participants who want to help that evening to illuminate the cemetery. 

Sound and light performance

'Silent City Meets Living City' is not a classic commemorative ceremony. Thus no wreaths are laid or speeches are held. The reflection moment consists of a serene sound and light performance with music, evocations, personal stories and moments of silence. About 200 participants from different Flemish regions are involved. The museum has a lot of music especially made for this evening and will call on WW1 reenactors and drama societies for the evocation. All the graves and names at the Tyne Cot Memorial will also be symbolically brought to life by lighting. The organisers are looking for a lot of people who want to hold a little light this evening. Needless to say that these lights will play a very crucial role for  the reflection. 

All welcome

'Silent City Meets Living City' originated from the idea that nearly 12,000 victims of the Battle of Passchendaele are buried at CWGC Tyne Cot Cemetery and that the whole municipality of Zonnebeke has nearly 12,000 inhabitants. Hence the title: A quiet city (the cemetery) meets the living city (greater Zonnebeke). Nevertheless, the museum opens this reflection moment to anyone, regardless of residence or nationality. Children are also welcome, if accompanied by an adult. The museum also provides educational packages for schools that wish to participate. After the reflection moment, GoneWest organises a concert of Tom Barman at the Zonnebeke chateau grounds. On Friday, 13 October, Filip Kowlier will perform. Those who combine both concerts or Barman's concert with 'Silent City Meets Living City' will receive a € 5 discount. 

Free but pre-registration required

Participation is free but everyone must register before Monday 9 October at www.passchendaele2017.org. There you can choose between individual or group registration. From two people upwards, you will be asked to register as a group. On this website you will also find all information about the GoneWest concerts. Whoever wishes to combine both must buy a ticket and register for  the reflection moment. Those who  cannot register online for ‘Silent City Meets Living City’, can contact the museum by phone on +32 51 77 04 41. Shortly before 14 October, all participants will receive all practical information such as arrival time, parking space, entry point and  headstone. 

A few fictures below from the press conference on Thursday, 7 September 2017.























  Page made by Willy Roets.