Conference Programme

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"L'Année 14-18"
Commemorations in 2008 in Le Quesnoy

The following is a Commemoration Programme with highlighted events from April until November.

>> Downloadable Programme (107kb pdf)

1 April - 10 May

Exhibition: The liberation of Le Quesnoy by the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 4 November 1918.
France and New Zealand have enjoyed a special relationship since the First World War. This exhibition looks at why these two countries share such a strong friendship.
The liberation of Le Quesnoy on 4 November 1918, just a few days before the Armistice, is still remembered by both New Zealanders and French alike.
The exhibition provides a chance to see letters written by a New Zealand soldier in the days running up to and following the battle, as well as postcards of Le Quesnoy at that time.
Venue: Le Quesnoy Tourist Information Office
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.,
 Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Sunday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

20 April - 27 April

Exhibition: The occupation of Le Quesnoy and the surrounding area during the Great War
Collection of military and personal objects belonging to French, British and German soldiers. These personal and collective reminders of a past which is both distant and near are surprising, unusual and at times amusing. Private collection.
Venue: Gallery “Maison Quercitaine de Nouvelle-Zélande”, rue Thiers, Le Quesnoy
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.,
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Sunday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

ANZAC Day: 25, 26 & 27 April

Friday 25 April:
Documentary, in English, on the links between Le Quesnoy and New Zealand. The documentary was filmed in and around Le Quesnoy in November 2007, and will also be shown on New Zealand’s TV1 channel on 25 April 2008.
Venue: Théâtre des 3 Chênes
Time: 7 p.m. (1 hr)
No charge

Friday 25 and Saturday 26 April:
Le Quesnoy by night: “1914-1918: from New Zealand to the fortifications of Le Quesnoy”
Invitation to take part in a walk by torch light, following in the footsteps of the New Zealand soldiers who came from the uttermost ends of the earth to liberate the small French town of Le Quesnoy.
Readings from original documents (letters and diaries) will bring to life the struggle to scale the town walls and free the population, in a manner that was reminiscent of the mediaeval sieges.
A Théâtre du Bimberlot production
Start: 9 p.m.
Meeting point: Théâtre du Bimberlot, opposite the Théâtre des 3 Chênes
Essential: warm, waterproof clothing and/or an umbrella, sturdy shoes (some shelter will be provided)
By reservation only (limited number of places), tel. +33 (0)3 27 20 54 70 or
kiwilequesnoy@wanadoo.fr
Mainly in French
No charge

Saturday 26 April:
9 a.m. to 12 noon: guided tour in English by Herbert Farrant - Romeries, Vertigneul, Fontaine au Bois
Meeting point: Place du Colonel Blyth, Beaudignies

Picnic lunch offered by the Association La Maison Quercitaine de Nouvelle-Zélande (to reserve, please call: no. 03 27 20 54 70 or send a message to
kiwilequesnoy@wanadoo.fr)

2 p.m.: Memorial Walk in the steps of the New Zealand troops (Beaudignies to Le Quesnoy)
Meeting point: Place du Colonel Blyth, Beaudignies (2 hrs)

Evening meal offered by the Association La Maison Quercitaine de Nouvelle-Zélande (to reserve, please call: no. 03 27 20 54 70 or send a message to
kiwilequesnoy@wanadoo.fr)

Sunday 27 April:
ANZAC Day commemorations, in memory of the Australian and New Zealand troops who gave their life during the First World War
Start: 11 a.m.
Meeting point: Grand Place (main square), Le Quesnoy

20 - 21 September: European Heritage Days 

Exhibition   Le Quesnoy under German occupation from 1914 to 1918 – Consequences of the war, 1918 to 1923
Organised by the Le Quesnoy local history society, le Cercle Historique Quercitain
Venue: Gallery “Maison Quercitaine de Nouvelle-Zélande”, rue Thiers and the Tourist Information Office
Opening hours: Saturday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

3, 4 and 5 November:

Conference: “France and New Zealand during the Great War ”: life in occupied France, life in the trenches, leaving New Zealand for the Western Front, the Maori involvement in the conflict, encounters between New Zealand troops and French soldiers/civilians, first impressions of France, invasion and liberation, commemoration and memorials, myths and realities of war, personal narratives
This major three-day event is jointly organised by the town of Le Quesnoy, the Maison Quercitaine de Nouvelle-Zélande (Le Quesnoy-New Zealand friendship society), the Le Quesnoy Tourist Information Office and the University of Waikato. Speakers include French and British scholars and historians.
Venue: Théâtre des 3 Chênes
Conference open to all, by reservation only. Please call +33 (0)3 27 20 54 70
Admission fee

Exhibition: “De lignes … en ligne” the Wilfred Owen Association
Wilfred Owen, born on 18 March 1893 in Owestry, England, died leading his troops across the Sambre Canal in Ors on 4 November 1918. He was just 25 years old. 4 November 1918 is a landmark date, with the death of a great poet just a few kilometres from Le Quesnoy, which was liberated on the same day after four long and difficult years under German occupation.
Venue: Théâtre des 3 Chênes

Tuesday, 4 November:
Commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the liberation of Le Quesnoy by the New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Time: 6.30 p.m.
Meeting point: Grand Place (main square), Le Quesnoy

11 November:

Commemoration of the signature of the Armistice by Maréchal Foch which brought an end to four terrible years of war.
In the words of Maréchal Foch: "at 11 o’clock on the 11th of November all fire ceased on the front. An impressive silence followed the fifty-three weeks of battle. Peace in the world once again became a possibility. The next day, I sent my congratulations to the Allied armies.” 
Time: 6.30 p.m
Meeting point: Grand Place (main square), Le Quesnoy

Play:  “Déchirures”
This play (mainly in French) tells the true story of Louisa, a resident of nearby town Avesnes-sur-Helpe, as she told it when in hospital in 1984  … “War broke out at the beginning of August 1914 … We watched the French troops passing through on their way to Belgium, on foot and on horseback…
On 9 November 1918 the last Germans left. The British troops liberated us. After the Armistice was signed they were replaced by the Australians, who stayed here until February 1919. I became very fond of Captain Frederick Drayton, who was billeted with us … ”.
The play is structured around letters from French, Australian and New Zealand troops. It reminds us of the sheer number of foreign troops in the area at the time, and  bears witness to the suffering of ordinary men and women almost one hundred years ago.
A Théâtre du Bimberlot production
Date and time: to be confirmed
1 hour
Pre-booking: Théâtre des 3 Chênes, +33 (0)3 27 28 78 20