To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation, numerous events took place throughout the past few days in Western Hainaut, formerly known as Walloon Picardy during the Second World War.
The Walloon city of Tournai in particular was almost completely destroyed as a result of the war.
The events began on Friday afternoon in Antoing, the first place to be liberated in Belgium. Before Antoing was freed on 2 September, other border villages were liberated by the Allies.
A convoy, organised by the "Lions of Memory" association and consisting of approximately 30 period military and civilian vehicles, paraded through the city streets.
A US Army tank in the city of Tournai. Credit: Belga / Frank Ghislaine
The procession then made its way to Hollain and Bléharies (Brunehaut) before ending up in Rumes, on the French-Belgian border, later in the evening.
Saturday morning saw the departure of a Liberation march from the border village of Hertain (Tournai), organised by the Ronse Liberation association. A small group of walkers followed the exact route taken by the British liberators on 3rd September 1944.
Locals dressed in uniforms from the era in Tournai. Credit: Belga / Frank Ghislaine
These walkers later crossed Tournai, where a convoy was held in a "static show" in the town square.
Over 50 military vehicles of various types and period civilian cars attracted large crowds to the city centre. Upon arriving at the forum, numerous scenes from Tournai’s Liberation were enacted to pay homage to this historic day.
Celebrations are held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Tournai, during the Second World War, on Saturday 07 September 2024. Credit: Belga / Frank Ghislaine
Near the Grand Place in Tournai, at the foot of the belfry which "symbolises municipal freedoms", Paul-Olivier Delannois, the mayor of Tournai, addressed the crowd.
"In the aftermath of the Liberation, the city’s condition was shocking. In fact, 60% of the city’s architectural heritage within the city walls was devastated," Delannois said.
"The war years destroyed exactly 7,173 privately-owned buildings in Tournai. Public infrastructures, such as the city hall, the museum of folklore, the bishopric, and churches like St-Brice and St-Quentin were also ruined. Although liberated, Tournai was essentially in ruins by the evening of 3rd September 1944."
Picture of 'la Grande Place' of Tournai after it was destroyed by Nazi bombs. 10 May 1940. Credit: Belga Archives
"Much like Saint-Ghislain or Charleroi, the city was so brutally punished during this conflict that it was awarded the War Cross of 1940. It took over three decades to rebuild the city," the mayor proclaimed.
The ceremony was in the presence of Ludivine Dedonder, Belgian Minister of Defence, and Thomas Mangarts, a representative of the German Embassy in Belgium.
Ludivine Dedonder (PS), German representative Thomas Mangarts and Paul-Olivier Delannois attend celebrations in Tournai on Saturday 07 September 2024. Credit: Belga / Frank Ghislaine
Following this, the convoy of vehicles and walkers then proceeded to Ronse for further commemorations. In recent years, Tournai has partnered with its Flemish counterpart of Ronse.
As one of the first Belgian cities to be liberated from Nazi control, these two cities, one French-speaking, the other Flemish, hold significant historical importance.
