The Belgian Federal Government hosts international commemorations in Flanders on October 28th 2014 as part of its First World War Centenary programme.
The events, to be attended by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, mark the 100th anniversaries of the First Battle of Ypres and the flooding of the coastal plains which blocked the German advance in October 1914.
They start at the King Albert Monument in Nieuwpoort, remembering the Belgian monarch who stayed with his troops and ordered the sluice gates to be opened, closing the remaining gap in the Western Front.
The focus then moves to the Menin Gate, the memorial to Commonwealth war dead in Ypres, where leaders will attend the Last Post ceremony. Giant screens will be set up in both Nieuwpoort and Ypres so that the public can follow events.
On August 4th 2014, international leaders joined the Belgian Government in Liège for commemorations marking the centenary of the start of the First World War.
To discover more about the ceremonies on October 28th visit the website of the Belgian Federal Government.
Images: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News