From the 11 November Group
to Malegijs
On 11 November 1977, the 11 November Group was founded in Kemmel.
At that time, remembering the First World War was mostly a matter for the military, war museums, and solemn ceremonies on 11 November with military bands and veterans. But young people were not interested.
That is why the group published the book “Van den Grooten Oorlog” (“About the Great War”), with the testimonies of sixty men and women who had lived through the war. It was the start of a whole series of initiatives to include the voices of ordinary men and women in our remembrance.
The book remains a unique source of information and a lasting reminder to work for peace today as well.
Since the first edition, the publishing house Malegijs has produced all editions. Since the voluntary dissolution of the 11 November Group in 2020, the non-profit Malegijs vzw has continued the work.
Now we are bringing those testimonies back to life: with a series of short films based on the stories in the book, we let a new generation hear the voices of ordinary men and women.
On 11 November 2026 at 11:11 a.m., the first story can be watched on our YouTube channel.
From today back to 1977
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2026
Filming the book
A series of short films is growing out of the book. Each time, we bring one testimony to life: the memories of ordinary men and women, Belgians, French, British and Germans, soldiers and civilians.
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2015
Memorial Garden for Refugees
In Westouter, volunteers created a memorial garden so that we do not forget how many people had to flee during the First World War. It opened on World Refugee Day, 20 June 2015.
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2004
Fleeing… Through the Ages
An exhibition in Messines, Bruges and Zemst, with lectures on fleeing in the sixteenth century, during the First World War and today, and with attention to the escape routes of families from the region.
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1988
Ecce Homo
An exhibition that confronts testimonies with photographs and objects from the First World War, with poetry, and with work by artists including Frank Brangwyn, Albert Hahn, Käthe Kollwitz and Frans Masereel.
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1978
Never Does a War Bring Peace
A people’s play inspired by the testimonies. 70 amateurs under the direction of François Beukelaers (director), Lea Daan (choreography) and Wannes Van de Velde (singing). In 1978–1979 it was performed 19 times for 16,000 spectators, in Kemmel, Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Ostend, Roeselare, Turnhout and Hasselt.
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1977
Listening to those who lived through the war
On 11 November 1977, young people visit men and women who lived through the Great War and record their stories. From this grows the book Van den Grooten Oorlog: five editions, 17,000 copies in total, and a new edition in March 2016.
Visit the Memorial Garden for Refugees in Westouter
News
Marieke and Pieter talk about the films
In a short video, Marieke Demeester and Pieter Hardeman tell you what we are working on: the testimonies from the book Van den Grooten Oorlog are becoming a series of short films…