Weg van ‘t Stad! De Antwerpse exodus naar West-Vlaanderen 1944-1945 (Away from the City ! The Antwerp exodus to West Flanders 1944-1945)

Conference (in Dutch) with guest Patrick Buyse

An interview led by Bruno De Wever

The autumn of 1944 was extremely hard on the greater Antwerp area. German V1 and V2 strikes killed 3,515 people. The people of Antwerp massively sought shelter in other places. There are very few references to this exodus in the numerous works dealing with this period. However, it involved at least 150,000 Antwerp refugees, nearly 60,000 of whom were spread over 254 West Flanders municipalities for an average six-month period between autumn 1944 and spring 1945.

A question asked by an Antwerp family prompted Patrick Buyse to dig into the archives. He interviewed witnesses, relatives, local historians and other historians, most of whom knew little about this episode.

The resulting book tells the story of this exodus to West Flanders, and attempts to answer a number of specific questions. How many families and children were involved? Who was behind these massive displacements? Where did all these people end up? How was the exodus experienced by everyone? What are the memories left by this unusual adventure?

We can't help but draw parallels between this forgotten history and current events. But this story is also full of warmth and humanity. The welcome extended to the displaced often led to friendships that continue to this day.

On Wednesday 25 October, CegeSoma and its non-profit organization "Friends of CegeSoma" are delighted to invite you to discover Patrick Buyse's book as part of their Public History Meetings. Professor Bruno De Wever has co-written the preface to this book, which also delves into a part of his family history.

You are all very welcome!
 

Patrick Buyse comes from West Flanders. Passionate about history, heritage and politics, he likes to explore forgotten parts of our national history. 'Weg van 't Stad'! De Antwerpse exodus naar West-Vlaanderen 1944-1945' is his first book.

© An Clapdorp/Ertsberg

Bruno De Wever is Professor Emeritus at Ghent University. He is the author of numerous articles and books on the history of the Flemish movement and on collaboration during the Second World War.