Report to Government

Belgium

Belgium’s commemorative years will be 2014, 2017 and 2018, with 2017 being the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Ieper (Ypres). The Belgian Government has appointed a Special Envoy on Commemorations in the Prime Minister’s Office. A key theme in Belgium’s approach is to follow an inclusive view of the First World War, as it considers all nations were victims.

Belgium’s multi-year program is expected to include a bottom-up approach through a standardised process for proposals to be submitted by federal institutions, municipalities and individuals in 2013. Proposals are to highlight memorial sites and artefacts, education and/or involve youth. Emphasis will be on collective memory, promoting peace and tolerance, solidarity and partnership.

As the Belgian state is comprised of three regions—Flanders, Walloonia and the Brussels Capital—it has established a Federal Organising Committee. Coordination for all projects is being undertaken by the Belgian Coordination Committee (BCC) reporting to the Federal Organisation Committee to ensure the three regions have a synergetic approach to building and delivering a joint program.

Belgium’s proposed program will follow six stages as outlined below:

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  Stage I—Commemorating the ‘war of movement’—a national commemoration with high-level international participation to pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
  
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  Stage II—In between the ‘war of movement’ and the trench warfare—a national commemoration of the resistance of the Belgian army and population around Ypres.
  
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  Stage III—A major turning point in modern warfare: first gas attack on 22 April 1915—the Belgium Government will support initiatives linked to the prohibition of the use of chemical weapons.
  
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  Stage IV—Ordinary citizens and the Royal Family: united in resisting the enemy. Brussels is to host commemorative activities focusing on ordinary life in occupied Belgium and resistance against the German rule.
  
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  Stage V—1917: the Battle of Ypres.
  
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  Stage VI—11 November 1918: celebrating victory and the start of reconstructing Belgium—this will focus on the benefits of peace, international solidarity and the changes the First World War brought to society.
  

On 23 November 2012, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the governments of Australia and Belgium, committing both countries to cooperate closely in the lead-up to the centenary of the First World War and significant Second World War anniversaries. The memorandum includes stronger education of younger generations to learn about and build an appreciation for the shared military history of the two countries, and strengthening ties between veterans’ organisations and cultural institutions.

Flanders

The Government of Flanders has established ‘The Great War Centenary (2014–18)’ project office to prepare and coordinate the project. A central project working group has been set up, chaired by the Secretary-General of the Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs, and the working group also serves as an advisory body for the Government of Flanders. The Flemish Minister for Tourism has earmarked funding for recreational tourism projects that commemorate the Great War. Forty-four projects were selected as being eligible for subsidies. Five of these projects were approved and publicised:

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  the In Flanders Fields Museum and opening up of the Belfry Tower in Ypres
  
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  the Museum Garden and ‘legacy’ at the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 in Zonnebeke
  
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  the Poperinge Centenary Behind the Front Line and Talbot House in Poperinge
  
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  the modernisation of the Yser Tower Museum and the Yser Tower site
  
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  a new visitor centre at the lock complex in Nieuwpoort.
  

A cultural program is to be developed for each commemorative year (2014–18) and will take place during significant historical commemorative events. The Flemish Public Broadcasting Company, VRT, will devote special programming to the First World War in the run up to 2014. This is expected to include radio, television and online programming. Documentaries and a fictional television series are examples of what could be played during the 2014–18 period.

Turkey

Official planning for the Centenary commemorations is in its early stages. The Turkish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has appointed a coordinator for Anzac Affairs and it is expected that a national commission will be established to assist with commemoration arrangements.

In April 2012, the Prime Ministers of Australia and Turkey made a joint declaration on Centenary commemorations between the two countries. The year 2015 will be known as ‘Year of Turkey in Australia’ and the ‘Year of Australia in Turkey’. Proposals submitted by Australian individuals and entities to be carried out in Turkey would be assessed and discussed with Turkish authorities. A joint coordination body may be established to include the relevant ministries and cultural agencies. It is anticipated that each government will secure funding for the activities organised by themselves for the centenary commemorations of 2015.

A number of joint community, academic and sporting proposals have been raised but, at this stage, progress with their development and funding is unclear. The following are illustrative; further proposals may be forthcoming:

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  establishing a ‘clearing house’ for capturing, reviewing and coordinating the ideas and activities around Gallipoli/Anzac issues, especially those initiated by the community and academic institutions
  
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  a joint international student scholarship is proposed between the Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU) and universities within Australia
  
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  various surf life saving clubs have shown interest in commemorating the Anzac Centenary with activities such as education and competition tours to strengthen the bonds between the countries, including a surf life saving exchange program
  
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  to continue the underwater mapping exercise at Anzac and at other major beachheads, and for the project to align with any future joint historical and archaeological team that may undertake similar exercises
  
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  the Gallipoli Memorial Club in Sydney established two competitions—the Gallipoli Art Prize Competition in Australia, and the Canakkale Art Prize Competition in Turkey. It is proposed to tour the winning and highly commended art works in Australia, New Zealand and Turkey in 2014–15 to 2016–17
  
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  joint sporting events, for example soccer, volleyball and handball, including the possibility of an Australia–Turkey–New Zealand soccer tournament in April 2015.