Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners and Deportees

About

The Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners commemorates the political prisoners from West Flanders from the Second World War

The Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners and Deportees is a war memorial in Menen, West Flanders, Belgium erected in memory of the Belgian political prisoners who were deported to concentration camps by the German occupiers during World War II. Of the fourteen deported residents of Menen, only four survived the concentration camps.

Maurice Dupont and Fernand Pauwels were both Belgian resistance fighters in the South-West Flanders region who were arrested by the German occupiers during the Second World War and deported to concentration camps. Despite the inhumane conditions, they survived the camps and returned to Belgium after the war. Together they took the initiative to establish the Provincial Mausoleum for Political Prisoners of West Flanders in Menen, in memory of the political prisoners of world war II.

On November 1, 1957, the mausoleum was founded by survivors Maurice Dupont and Fernand Pauwels. The association was named: "Commemoration Committee of the Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners of West Flanders". They received support from local authorities such as those of the province of West Flanders and the city of Menen, and various local and national organizations such as: the Secret Army, the deported and work refusers, the Leopoldists and Albertists, the Widows and orphans of deported and many more.

The first ceremony (14th of June, 1959) of the Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners of West Flanders was held at the monument in the old city cemetery. Here the monument was inaugurated and an annual tradition was started. Afterwards a pilgrimage followed to the monument on the city market, where a reception followed at the city hall.

Every year on Father's Day (formerly, now somewhere in June), a commemoration ceremony takes place at the mausoleum. One of the central parts of this ceremony is the 'Kampappèl', in which the great-grandchildren of the 4 survivors read about the horrors of the concentration camps, and were names of eighteen concentration camps are called out and flowers are laid by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of former political prisoners. This ceremony is attended by family members, survivors, representatives of the Belgian government, representatives of Belgian Armed Forces and foreign diplomats.

The mausoleum not only has a historical importance, but also a symbolic value as a place of remembrance and reflection. It emphasizes the importance of resistance against oppression and passing on history to future generations. In addition to this monument, there are several memorial sites in Belgium that honor the victims of the Second World War, such as Fort Breendonk and Kazerne Dossin.

On November 1, 1957, the mausoleum was founded by survivors Maurice Dupont and Fernand Pauwels. The association was named: "Commemoration Committee of the Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners of West Flanders". They received support from local authorities such as those of the province of West Flanders and the city of Menen, and various local and national organizations such as: the Secret Army, the deported and work refusers, the Leopoldists and Albertists, the Widows and orphans of deported and many more.

The first ceremony (14th of June, 1959) of the Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners of West Flanders was held at the monument in the old city cemetery. Here the monument was inaugurated and an annual tradition was started. Afterwards a pilgrimage followed to the monument on the city market, where a reception followed at the city hall.

Every year on Father's Day (formerly, now somewhere in June), a commemoration ceremony takes place at the mausoleum. One of the central parts of this ceremony is the 'Kampappèl', in which the great-grandchildren of the 4 survivors read about the horrors of the concentration camps, and were names of eighteen concentration camps are called out and flowers are laid by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of former political prisoners. This ceremony is attended by family members, survivors, representatives of the Belgian government, representatives of Belgian Armed Forces and foreign diplomats.

The mausoleum not only has a historical importance, but also a symbolic value as a place of remembrance and reflection. It emphasizes the importance of resistance against oppression and passing on history to future generations. In addition to this monument, there are several memorial sites in Belgium that honor the victims of the Second World War, such as Fort Breendonk and Kazerne Dossin.

The Provincial Mausoleum of Political Prisoners and Deportees in Menen remains an important place of remembrance. Every year on the first Sunday of June, (previously on Father's Day) a commemoration ceremony takes place in honour of the victims. This ceremony is organised by the Royal Society of the Bearers of the Decorations and Medals of Belgium, regional department Kortrijk.

The mausoleum, located at the back of the Old City Cemetery (park cemetery) in the Ieperstraat and Zandputstraat, is maintained and supported by the province of West Flanders and the city of Menen. It remains accessible to visitors who want to reflect on the history and sacrifices of the political prisoners and deportees during the Second World War.

In addition to the annual commemorations, there are also initiatives such as the placement of stumbling stones in Menen, Lauwe and Rekkem, which pay tribute to the victims and keep their stories alive. These efforts underline the continuing importance of the mausoleum as a symbol of remembrance and awareness.

The (general) Program of the Ceremony is:

- 10:00 : Arrival of officials and personalities

- 10:05 : Arrival of the torch of the concentration camp Flossenbürg and West-Flanders

- 10:10 : Ignition of the torch of West-Flanders by the mayor of the city of Menen

- 10:15 : Ignition of the torch of Flossenbürg by the chairman of the National association of Flossenbürg

- 10:20: Ignition of the torch of the Mausoleum (already at the monument) by the chairman of the National association of Flossenbürg