The College of Europe has organized for several years now student visits to the battlefields of the First World War in Flanders. This contributes to perpetuating the memory of the war, to raising College of Europe students' interest in the conflict and sensitizing them to the experience of those who fought and of the local population.
On Wednesday 21 September 2016, 330 students from the College of Europe (Bruges campus), representing 53 different nationalities, undertook a study trip “In Flanders Fields” in the Ypres region, where they visited Tyne Cot cemetery, the Hill 60 battlefield and the Bayernwald trench reconstruction. They also attended the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial.
A wreath was placed by students representing both sides of the armed conflict of the First World War, and one of the students pronounced the Exhortation.
Wreath: PÁL-HEGEDÜS Diana (Hungary), KUBERA Justine (Belgium), POSSENTE Davide (Italy)
Poem: WILLIAMS-RENOUF Nye (GB)
Rector Jörg MONAR wants the students to better understand the bloody conflicts that took place in this region, which wiped out a generation of young people similar in age, with the hope that students will then better appreciate the peace and prosperity which is now possible through cooperation at a European and International level.
Programme
- 10.00: Rector’s introduction on WWI, Room E
- 11.30-13.00: Lunch in College canteen
- 13.00: Departure to the busses (Katelijneparking)
- 13.30: Departure busses
- 14.30-18.30: Front tour with guides:
- Visit Hill 60 (+ Caterpillar crater)
- Visit Bayernwald
- Visit Tyne Cot Cemetery
- 18.30-19.45: Free time Ypres
- 20.00: Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate: students will laying down a wreath and reading of the exhortation by a student of the College
- 20.15: Departure busses for Bruges
Contact: student.affairs@coleurope.eu