MEDIA RELEASE | Tuesday 21, April, 2009

Belgian Mayor Travels To The “Uttermost Ends Of The Earth” To Commemorate New Zealand Sacrifice On His Soil:

The Mayors of two districts, a world apart, will come together for the first time this ANZAC Day to commemorate the sacrifice of New Zealand soldiers in Flanders fields.

Dirk Cardoen, Mayor of Zonnebeke-Passendale (ZON-A-BEKA-PASS-EN-DARL-A) – where one of the most devastating conflicts of the first world war was fought – is travelling to the “uttermost ends of the earth”, where the kiwi soldiers came from so long ago to fight for his country’s freedom, to honour a rekindled bond of friendship.

The districts of Zonnebeke and Waimakariri, in North Canterbury, formally twinned during the 90th commemorations of the Battle of Passchendaele, in 2007. The arrangement is one of only the second entered into between our two countries - the other is between Messines and Featherston.

Waimakariri District Mayor, Ron Keating acknowledges the significance of this first official visit, which will see the two Mayors jointly launch the touring exhibition Passchendaele: The Belgians Have Not Forgotten, in Christchurch on April 21st.

“While the 90th anniversary of that battle was the trigger that revived the linkage between our communities, this visit, to share in these special moments with us, clearly illustrates the value Zonnebeke places on our newfound friendship.”

The Waimakariri and Zonnebeke districts have a similar urban/rural and geographic and demographic mix.

But it was ultimately the sacrifices made by the young men of the district during the Passchendaele campaign that was the deciding factor in Zonnebeke extending the invita-tion to twin with Waimakariri.

Zonnebeke Mayor Dirk Cardoen says there is no mistaking the fact the two communities remain inextricably linked with each other.

“Our historically based bond is strong and through this twinning the municipality of Zonne-beke hopes to grow an enhanced awareness of the futility of war for future generations.

“We are convinced the twinning is the best assurance the sacrifice of your young men will be remembered.”

The Zonnebeke Municipality has been instrumental in facilitating the exhibition Passchen-daele: The Belgians Have Not Forgotten, developed by the Memorial Museum Passchen-daele 1917.

The exhibition, which Mayors Cardoen and Keating will officially open in Christchurch to-day (April 21), features photographs, images and artefacts highlighting the memories of New Zealand that still live on in Flanders today.

It is also, Mayor Keating acknowledges, “a tangible sign” of Zonnebeke’s desire to promote the relationship between the peoples of both districts beyond simple rhetoric.

“It is a very visual and moving expression not only of the gratitude and respect the Bel-gians have for our sacrifice but also of a very real intent to build on the bonds forged in blood on their battlefields into a solid and lasting relationship into the future. “

Mayor Keating says for those of us here, lucky enough to never know the horrors of war, this exhibition is also important in helping understand that while we lost our young men Flanders Fields, the Belgians also paid a heavy price

“It brings war home to us.”

The Mayor of Zonnebeke and accompanying dignitaries will attend ANZAC Day ceremo-nies in Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Christchurch on April 25th.

Being here and taking part in our commemorations, a way, Ron Keating, says the Belgians can gain a different appreciation also of us.

“All they currently really know about us is that our young men went over to fight their war and many never returned home. This visit is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our country and our people.”

The exhibition runs at Our City O-Tautahi until May 30.

ENDS

Visit our blog: www.thebelgianshavenotforgotten.blogspot.com

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