Belgium
Country Series
Belgium
An introduction to our photo series of Belgium and other articles related to Belgium.
Our relationship with Belgium
Belgium is our neighbouring country and now that we live in Zeeland, as well as previously in Brabant, Belgium has always been very close to us. In terms of distance, cities like Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges are closer than Rotterdam or The Hague. We really should visit Belgium more often because the country has beautiful cities and a rich culture. During my working life, I (A) regularly visited Brussels and Antwerp. With family, we would cross the border into Flanders often to dine out. Over the years, we have been to Antwerp many times, strolling through the city and often visiting the Photo Museum. In recent years, we have visited Ghent and Bruges several times and, with the camper van, we explored Mechelen and Dinant.
We have also started a series called “In Flanders Fields”, which highlights the First World War battlefields – although this series is still far from complete.
A few brief factual notes: Belgium consists of three regions – Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region. The country has approximately 11.7 million inhabitants and three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
Our photo galleries
Here below we have links to our Belgian photo galleries, that we have published on SmugMug. By clicking on the name you will be directed to the pertinent gallery on SmugMug. As a teaser you will find some photos of our Belgian series.
In Flanders Fields
The First World War, which struck Belgium particularly hard, has left deep marks on the landscape and the collective memory of the country. In the photo series In Flanders Fields, I capture the traces of this historic period, focusing on the war graves and the trenches that mark the former battlefield. By photographing these silent witnesses of war, I aim not only to record the physical remnants of the conflict, but also the unspoken stories of the soldiers who gave their lives here.
The cemeteries, often containing thousands of anonymous graves, evoke a sense of respect and mourning, but also the inexorable passage of time. The trenches, where the lives of the soldiers played out under extreme conditions, remind us of the horrors of war and the courage that was shown in a world torn apart by violence.
These images are a tribute to the victims of the Great War and to the lasting impact this conflict has had on Belgian soil and its history. See also our post In Flanders Fields.
