Ypres 2016 The inauguration of the Peace Monument

On Saturday 6th November, Delyth Done, our course leader in Artist Blacksmithing and MA Contemporary Crafts, attended the inauguration of the Peace Monument situated outside the German Cemetery at Langemark – Poelkapelle.

Created by hundreds of blacksmiths from around the world, including staff and students from Hereford College of Arts, the finished design – a steel sheet standing seven metres high – bears the image of a single Flanders poppy. ‘Planted’ around it is a field of 2,016 steel poppies, commemorating people on all sides of the conflict; those who died and those whose lives were affected by WWI.

Del, who is also a council member of the British Artist Blacksmith Association, played a pivotal role in the memorial project, overseeing the forging of the 25 railing panels which surround the base of the cenotaph. Arranged in a zig-zag pattern that characterises the layout of the trenches, these panels were designed by international Master Blacksmiths and depict the designers’ personal responses to WWI. Del also designed and curated ‘Transition’ a major international, contemporary, forged metal design touring exhibition which launched at Ypres.

Speaking after the event, Del said:

‘It was raining, cold and windy but I was completely present to what a remarkable achievement this project has been . Thank you to all the Blacksmiths from across the globe who made poppies and to those who came to Ypres in the first week of September to make this awesome Peace Memorial #Ypres 2016. The inauguration was a powerful and moving event with many ambassadors and dignitaries from across the world in attendance. I got a real sense of how this Peace Monument will become a place of pilgrimage for many . Thank you Andrew Rowe for inviting me to be part of the organising committee that made this possible, thank you to the blacksmiths and the student crew from Hereford College of Arts and thank you to the awesome Luc Vandecasteele who had the vision for the peace monument.’

Jo Lottegier of the Dienst voor Toerisme , Langemark-Poelkapelle , Belgium noted

“The community of Langemark-Poelkapelle is very delight with the new Poppy cenotaph. The monument, with his 2016 poppies and 25 panels were made by blacksmiths form all over the world. The ideal base for a peace monument. The poppy is known as a great Commonwealth Symbol for the commemoration of the First World War . Placing the monument next to the German military cemetery gives the monument so much more value as a peace monument.

Organizations, schools and individuals from all over the world, will be invited to come and stand by this new monument and reach each other the hand. A peace register will be placed at the monument , so people can write down their own peace message.”