IJzerwake

The IJzerwake (Dutch, meaning IJzer Vigil) 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 momument in the field commemorates the Van Raemdonck brothers, 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.

References

7th Vigil (August 24, 2008)

5100 people attended the 2008 IJzerwake. The motto of the meeting was "Now dare with Flanders." [ [http://www.webcitation.org/5aMcdZMoW IJzerwake a sign of independence] , "De Tijid",August 24, 2008 ] . The IJzerwake started with a mass, followed by several speeches, singing together and vendelzwaaien. No politicians from other parties attended. [* [http://www.webcitation.org/5aM5JvNy2 IJzerwake calls for unilateral independence] , "Het Laatste Nieuws", 24/08/08 ]

Press coverage

* [http://www.webcitation.org/5aM4oedFn In Steenstrate, in West Flanders, some 4,000 radical Flemings attended the seventh IJzerwake] , "Flemish national broadcasting network", 24/08/08
* [http://www.webcitation.org/5aM5jb2DY Report by De Standaard newspaper]
* [http://www.webcitation.org/5aM5wWG83 Report by De Morgen newspaper]
* [http://www.webcitation.org/5aM6FucWN Report by Gazet van Antwerpen newspaper]

References

Further references

* [http://www.webcitation.org/5aMVEYRXu Text of speeches as published by the Overlegcentrum van Vlaamse Verenigingen (OVV)]

External links

*http://www.ijzerwake.org/