IJzerwake
Encyclopedia
The IJzerwake is an organisation that split off from the IJzerbedevaart
, and unites the more radical Flemish nationalists. Each year in August, they organise a commemoration of the victims of the two World Wars, combined with a rally for Flemish independence and a more conservative government policy. Many participants are members of the political party Vlaams Belang
, and some are members and sympathizers of the less radical Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie. Radical separatist grassroots organisations, such as Voorpost
and NSV, also attend.
The annual event derives its name from the IJzer
river, around which some of the fiercest and most deadly battles of the first World War were fought. It takes place in a field near Zuidschote, between the towns Diksmuide
on the IJzer river, and Ieper
. A monument in the field commemorates the Brothers Van Raemdonck
, the Flemish soldiers who both fell there on March 26, 1917, killed by enemy fire and apparently having died in each other's arms.
The philosophical concept behind the IJzerwake is that of "Godsvrede" (Truce of God
), a medieval term referring to the unification of previously competing factions behind one common cause. This of course symbolises the meeting of the myriad of organisations in the strongly diversified Flemish Movement
which the IJzerwake hopes to unite.
IJzerbedevaart
The IJzerbedevaart is a yearly gathering of Flemings, at the IJzertoren in Diksmuide. This pilgrimage remembers the Flemish soldiers who died during the First World War and was first organised in 1920. It is at the same time a political meeting striving for Flemish political autonomy...
, and unites the more radical Flemish nationalists. Each year in August, they organise a commemoration of the victims of the two World Wars, combined with a rally for Flemish independence and a more conservative government policy. Many participants are members of the political party Vlaams Belang
Vlaams Belang
Vlaams Belang is a Belgian far-right political party in the Flemish Region and Brussels that advocates the independence of Flanders and strict limits on immigration, whereby immigrants would be obliged to adopt Flemish culture and language...
, and some are members and sympathizers of the less radical Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie. Radical separatist grassroots organisations, such as Voorpost
Voorpost
Voorpost is a volksnationalist group founded in Flanders, Belgium by Karel Dillen in 1976 as a splinter from the Volksunie. Voorpost has the vision of Dietsland, a political entity that will unite all Dutch-speaking territories in Europe...
and NSV, also attend.
The annual event derives its name from the IJzer
Yser
The Yser is a river that finds its origin in the north of France, enters Belgium and flows into the North Sea at the town of Nieuwpoort.-In France:The source of the Yser is in Buysscheure, in the Nord département of northern France...
river, around which some of the fiercest and most deadly battles of the first World War were fought. It takes place in a field near Zuidschote, between the towns Diksmuide
Diksmuide
Diksmuide is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Diksmuide proper and the former communes of Beerst, Esen, Kaaskerke, Keiem, Lampernisse, Leke, Nieuwkapelle, Oostkerke, Oudekapelle, Pervijze, Sint-Jacobs-Kapelle,...
on the IJzer river, and Ieper
Ypres
Ypres is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote...
. A monument in the field commemorates the Brothers Van Raemdonck
Brothers Van Raemdonck
The brothers Van Raemdonck, Edward and Frans, came from Temse and became a symbol of brotherly love in Flanders. They were both sergeants of the 6th company of the 24th Linieregiment. Edward and Frans died on the night of 25 and 26 March 1917 after an attack on the Stampkot at Steenstrate, the spot...
, the Flemish soldiers who both fell there on March 26, 1917, killed by enemy fire and apparently having died in each other's arms.
The philosophical concept behind the IJzerwake is that of "Godsvrede" (Truce of God
Peace and Truce of God
The Peace and Truce of God was a medieval European movement of the Catholic Church that applied spiritual sanctions in order to limit the violence of private war in feudal society. The movement constituted the first organized attempt to control civil society in medieval Europe through non-violent...
), a medieval term referring to the unification of previously competing factions behind one common cause. This of course symbolises the meeting of the myriad of organisations in the strongly diversified Flemish Movement
Flemish movement
The Flemish Movement is a popular term used to describe the political movement for emancipation and greater autonomy of the Belgian region of Flanders, for protection of the Dutch language, and for the over-all protection of Flemish culture and history....
which the IJzerwake hopes to unite.
7th Vigil (August 24, 2008)
5100 people attended the 2008 IJzerwake. The motto of the meeting was "Now dare with Flanders.". The IJzerwake started with a mass, followed by several speeches, singing together and vendelzwaaien. No politicians from other parties attended.Press coverage
- In Steenstrate, in West Flanders, some 4,000 radical Flemings attended the seventh IJzerwake, Flemish national broadcasting network, 24/08/08
- Report by De Standaard newspaper
- Report by De Morgen newspaper
- Report by Gazet van Antwerpen newspaper