Guided visit: Koekelare - Cross-border labor, migration and engagement

Koekelare is an excellent starting point to reflect on labor migration. From this Westhoek village, thousands of men and women traveled as seasonal workers to Northern France until deep into the twentieth century. What does it mean to have to earn your bread across the border? What traces does labor migration leave in families, villages, and collective memory? Fransmans During this Blik Historik excursion, we dive into the story of West Flemish seasonal workers and migration, loss, and engagement, with Koekelare as a starting point. Until deep into the twentieth century, Koekelare was an important hub in the story of cross-border labor to Northern France. From this Westhoek village, thousands of men and women – the so-called Fransmans – traveled to France for months to perform heavy agricultural work, especially in sugar beet cultivation. Their experiences are central today in the Fransmansmuseum , a museum that pays tribute to these often-forgotten labor migrants. Käthe Kollwitz Then we broaden our view with a visit to the Käthe Kollwitz Museum . This museum tells the poignant story of the German artist Käthe Kollwitz, her son Peter - who died during the Eerste Wereldoorlog - and her artistic indictment against war, poverty, and social injustice. The museum connects personal grief with an outspoken pacifist and humane message Practical Meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM at the site of CC De Brouwerij , Sint-Maartensplein 15b, 8680 Koekelare. The visit lasts approx. 3 hours. Je Blik Historik-guide: Geert Onraedt Accessibility: Koekelare has no train station. Travelers by train are best off getting off in Diksmuide, Kortemark of Torhout and then taking the bus to Koekelare (get off at stop 'Koekelare Dorp'). By walking along, you save a point on your Blik Historik savings card .