The Passchendaele Museum at Zonnebeke is preparing for a lively weekend. On 24, 25 and 26 May, ‘De Weg Terug – The Way Back’ and the Archaeology Days are taking place at the Passchendaele Museum and the chateau grounds. Visitors are welcome to discover the various activities at Zonnebeke.
‘De Weg Terug – The Way Back’
The Passchendaele Museum, Gateways Partnership, University of Kent and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London have collaborated to produce the immersive encounter and multimedia spectacle “De Weg Terug – The Way Back”, within the context of the WWI themed year LANDSCAPES | Feel Flanders Fields of Westtoer and Visit Flanders.
At the end of the war in November 1918, only destruction remained but soon after local people returned to rebuild their homes and community. With the scars of the war still visible, in the 1920s, thousands of people also visited the Westhoek, looking for the burial place of their loved one or the battlefields where they had fought and died. This lesser-known history, one hundred years ago, is explored in this powerful immersive encounter and multi-media spectacle.
Starting in the dug-outs, moving through the trenches and concluding in an open-air performance spectacle in the chateau grounds, “De Weg Terug – The Way Back” is a journey incorporating intimate moments of encounter with the past and epic spectacle. Walking through the dugouts and trenches, in the immersive encounter, visitors will see the museum transformed with music, voices from the past and projection. In the evening the chateau grounds of Zonnebeke are transformed to create a unique live spectacle. Large-scale projections, live performance, original music and spoken word bring back to life the Zonnebeke of the 1920s and beyond.
The “De Weg Terug – The Way Back” immersive encounter takes place from Friday 24 until Sunday 26 May. It starts from 6 PM onwards with timed ticket entries. The encounter takes around 40 minutes. Free access for children up to 6 years old. Entrance for children from 7 years old and adults is at € 13.00. Tickets can only be purchased online via passchendaele.be. Visitors are welcome to stay and picnic in the courtyard if staying for the evening performance.
The “De Weg Terug – The Way Back” evening spectacle is free and takes place on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 May, starting at 9.45 PM in the courtyard. No booking required.
The “De Weg Terug – The Way Back” is part of the official presidency programme within the culture category following the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU. It is funded through the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
“De Weg Terug – The Way Back” is suitable for all ages. It is presented in Dutch and English.
Archaeology Days
During the Archaeology Days at Zonnebeke, visitors will learn more about the many faces of archaeology during different free activities on the chateau grounds.
From Friday till Sunday, a re-enactmentgroup will take you back in time to the First World War thanks to their historic and educative demonstrations. A pop-up exhibition shows some unique and new archaeologic WWI finds in Zonnebeke. Kids are welcome to join a workshop to make their own lucky doll or military dog tag on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
The Archaeology Days take place from 24 till 26 May from 10 AM to 5 PM. Access to all activities is for free.
New at the Passchendaele Museum
Step into the new immersive experience ‘Passchendaele 1917’ and be completely immersed in the story and landscape of 1917 or discover the part played by the landscape as witness and bearer of war stories during the temporary exhibition ‘Echoes of War’.
Practical
The Archaeology Days (from 10 AM to 5 PM) and the “De Weg Terug – The Way Back” (from 6 PM) are organized during the weekend of 24, 25 and 26 May. The Passchendaele Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5.30 PM. Last access at 4.30 PM.
More information about all events on https://passchendaele.be/en/events/.
For more information on the Gateways Partnership and “De Weg Terug – The Way Back” visit https://gatewayspartnership.org.uk/de-weg-terug-the-way-back
