7 June 1917 -2017: 100 years Battle of the Mines

Heuvelland and  Mesen join forces to organize the most important World War I commemoration for their region during the centennial period. Under the Presidency of Federal Commissioner General for the commemoration Mr Paul Breyne the two municipalities developed a fitting program.
In addition to the ceremonies (where  Comines-Warneton is involved) and this in cooperation with the concerning embassies, Flanders, the Province of West Flanders; there are also concerts and exhibitions scheduled.

7 June 2017: Commemoration ceremonies

The ceremonies will be more than typical military ceremonies, but will be visually appealing, with a strong message and involvement of the general public. Not only a memorial service for the VIP, but also for the ordinary visitor. Of course, the countries concerned are leading these ceremonies but in very close cooperation with the municipalities and other remembrance partners.

In addition to the opportunity to participate in one or more ceremonies, the organization wants to offer readymade day packages to the public. The organization will provide shuttle services, catering options and suitable entertainment throughout the day.

• 05.30am: NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAWN CEREMONY NEW ZEALAND - Location: New Zealand Memorial (Mesen)
• 10.00am: REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY AUSTRALIA - Location:  Strand Military Cemetery (Ploegsteert)
• 02.00pm: NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY IRELAND & UK - Location: Island of Ireland Peace Park (Mesen)
• 04.00pm: CLOSING IRELAND & UK CEREMONY - Location: Wytschate Military Cemetery (Wijtschate/Heuvelland)

10 June 2017: Crater Front (Gone West) and concerts

A century after the Mine Battle  GoneWest (event organiser) would like to commemorate the historic craters that were blown into the soil with a live soundscape and light installation. It is a completely unique experience in Heuvelland, where the craters star as scars in the landscape. 
 
The Crater Front is linked to a musical event, organised by the Municipality of Heuvelland and Mesen, in line with the international commemoration of the Mine Battle. On the early evening of 10 June 2017, concerts will be organised for the general public. The bands and artists who will perform on this concert will be representing their country, as the concerning embassies are helping to select the names for this event.

Three historic expositions

Westtoer, the touristic federation of the Province of West-Flanders (supported by Toerisme Vlaanderen) an this in close collaboration with 7  local communities, want to tell the bloody story of 1917. Starting with the Battle of Messines Ridge  till November with the tragic end of the Third Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele , a series of exhibitions and information points will be opened. This throughout the Ypres Salient area. Three of these expositions will be opening in Heuvelland and Mesen.

100 NEW ZEALAND FACES OF MESSINES

Through 100 individual stories of New Zealanders by far or closely involved with the Battle of Messines Ridge this exposition wants to tell the story of the small country on the other side of globe during World War One. Not only soldiers, but also civilians will have a central place in the expo. Military aspects, but also economic and social impact, the role of the indigenous Maori, press coverage are only a few topics in this unique exhibition.

When?  June- November 2017
Where? Cultuurhuis/Tourist Information point Mesen, Markt 1 te Mesen
 
7 JUNE 1917: ARCHEOLOGY OF A BATTLE

No offensive in Flanders has the landscape played a larger role than in the mine battle of 7 June 1917. No offensive has left more traces in the landscape than this battle. As of January 2017, in the brand new regional visitor centre at Kemmel a first temporary exhibition will open, in which we focus on the traces left by the mine work in the landscape to bunkers and craters to trenches and tunnels

When? January – November 2017
Where? New Visitor Centre Kemmel (opposite of the church)
 
IRISH BLOOD IN FLANDERS

This exhibition tells the story of the Irish participation in the Great War, from the first 'regulars' in 1914 to the joint efforts of two volunteer divisions from “the north and south” (the 36th and the 16th division). Against the backdrop of a bloody conflict on the island, both divisions fought side by side on June 7, 1917 near  the road Kemmel-Wytschaete .

The presentation of the above programm took place at Mesen on Tuesday, 09/02/2017.






































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