In Flanders Fields aims for more visitors with a well-filled program

The program was presented today. An exhibition opens immediately: “Missing at the Front. Digging to Namur”. This exhibition illustrates how archeology gives missing soldiers their face and identity back. Arnout Hauben also made a film for the exhibition with battlefield archaeologist Simon Verdegem.

Alderman of Museums Dimitry Soenen: “Swallowed by the mud, the remains of tens of thousands of missing people lie beneath Flemish fields. Thanks to archaeological and historical research, some are today regaining their name, their face and their identity.”

From 12 March, the First World War outside the Western Front will also be discussed in the Royal Hall of the museum. The thematic exhibition “Before Civilization, the First World War in the Middle East, 1914-1923” gives visitors a picture of the period in the Middle East.

Furthermore, this year’s Artist in residence was also announced. In 2022 that will be the Indian artist Baptist Coelho. His installation will be on display from July 1. The exhibition “Music and war” puts musical instruments from the First World War in the spotlight. On September 21, leaves from the war will be placed in the museum. These are dried leaves that were transformed into delicate works of art by French soldiers with needles.

Prospects for visitor numbers in 2022

In 2021, the In Flanders Fields Museum welcomed 91,669 visitors. That is more than 55% more than in 2020 and therefore exceeds the visitor numbers of many other large Flemish museums.

A further increase in the number of visitors is aimed for in 2022. The expectations are in any case more optimistic than in 2021. Bookings from Flemish and Dutch schools are already coming in smoothly for the second half of March. The first reservations from British schools have already been registered.