In connection with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Flanders by the Polish army troops of general Stanislaw Maczek, there are several commemorating bike rides (with Tielt as start and finish point) planned on September 14th 2019.
Historical background
The liberation of Flanders by the First Polish Armored Division under the command of General Stanisław Maczek in 1944 meant the end of World War II in these areas.
“The aim of the Liberation Ride is double”, the Polish embassy in Brussels explains. “On the one hand we want to focus the attention on the liberation of Flanders by General Stanisław Maczek and his troops. On the other hand we highlight the 100th anniversary of Polish-Belgian diplomatic relations.”
Riding alongside lieux de mémoire
Several bike rides on September 14th will commemorate the liberation of Flanders in September 1944. There will be two guided group rides (for more fanatic cyclists) and two courses (for more recreational riders and families with children) on the existing numeric cycling network. The city of Tielt in West-Flanders will be the start and finish spot of all these rides.
Concerning the group rides: the amount of participants is limited, only 300 cyclists can subscribe to be part of one of the two pelotons. The first group discovers the southern liberation route (distance: 120 km, with Poperinge as turning point); the second group rides (distance: 80 km) in northern direction with Adegem as a turning point.
“The goal is to get cyclists as close as possible to the original route of the Polish liberators. The different lieux de mémoire, spots that refer to the historcial events of 75 years ago, will be an important part of the course”, according to the organizers.
Behind this event
The Polish embassy in Brussels came with the idea of organizing this Liberation Ride and is supported by the Flemish Government and the Polish Tourism Organization, Grinta! , Publicaties bvba and Arriva vzw, the city of Tielt, Westtoer and Tourism East-Flanders and the Association of the First Polish Armored Division Belgium.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
>>> When? Saturday, 14th September 2019
>>> Where? the Europahal will be start and finish of all bike rides – see map
>>> 30€
>>> Registration: here
>>> More information:
– Pieter Vanraes from Grinta, 00 32 498 54 44 18, at pivanraes@gmail.com
– Joanna Doberszyc-Toulsaly from the Polish Embassy in Brussels, 0032492727404, at joanna.doberszyc@msz.gov.pl
