Willemsfonds Putte Beerzel – Vlaanderen Feest: July 11 celebration 2026

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, we are celebrating! In fact, a double celebration. In the morning and afternoon, we will participate in the festivities in Boechout in the context of 175 years of Willemsfonds (see invitation in De Rechtuit). In the early evening, we will celebrate in Putte Vlaanderen Feest in collaboration with Willemsfonds Putte Beerzel, Davidsfonds Putte, Heemkring Het Molenijzer, and VVB Zuiderkempen. For this celebration, we have asked Peter Laroy, director of the archive organization Liberas, to take us through the story and meaning of July 11. July 11: mirror of the Vlaamse Beweging Op On July 11, 1302, a Flemish army defeated the French knighthood in the Battle of the Golden Spurs. More than six centuries later, that date officially became the national holiday of the Vlaamse Gemeenschap. But how did a medieval battle grow into a modern political symbol? Peter Laroy, director of the archive organization Liberas, tells that story using 11 documents and objects from the Liberas collection: letters, posters, postcards, medals, and photos. Each object reveals a piece of the long road the Vlaamse Beweging traveled to claim this date, load it with meaning, and finally anchor it in the official calendar. Who? members and non-members When and where? Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 8 PM in Heemkring Het Molenijzer, Heuvel 41 B, 2580 Putte. What can you expect? Welkom Lezing by Peter Laroy, director of Liberas. Commemorative speech for the Flemish holiday, followed by a communal singing of the Vlaamse Leeuw. A drink and a snack. Organized by Willemsfonds Putte-Beerzel, Davidsfonds Putte, Heemkring Het Molenijzer, and VVB Zuiderkempen.    Free participation, advance registration is appreciated (0496 16 04 39, paulvanhoof@telenet.be).   With warm Willemsfondsgroeten Leo Saliën – chairman                       Paul Van Hoof – secretary Fons Vekemans, Nadia Panken, Cindy Leers, Dorette De Moor, Denise Bogaerts, André Ceulemans – board members