CEREMONIES

In addition to the physical challenge and the pleasant atmosphere among participants, the “Four Days of the Yser” wants to make time for remembrance and respect in memory of the many military and civilian casualties who fell in the area during World War I and II.

Along with various patriotic associations, we invite you to take part in these moments of reflection and we ask that you show appropriate respect during these commemorations.

The official opening ceremony will take place on the Monday evening preceding the event. The shrimp fishermen on horseback from Oostduinkerke, who created the Four Days of the Yser, will escort the prominent figures from the Zeedijk to the monument to the fallen at the Sint-Niklaas church in the Leopold-II laan.  

On the closing day in Ypres, the daily “Last Post Ceremony” under the Menenpoort in Ypres will exceptionally be advanced from 8 pm to 3.30 pm. After listening to the penetrating tones of the bugles, the Four Days of the Yser will officially be brought to a close with a parade of all participants from the city’s edge, through the Menenpoort to the main square.

Monday - 19 August - Opening ceremony Oostduinkerke

• 05.00 pm:Official opening"Vierdaagse van de IJzer", Astridplein, Oostduinkerke;
• 06.45 pm:"Memorial to military and civilian victims of Oostduinkerke",
  St Nicholas Church, Leopold-II avenue, Oostduinkerke.

Tuesday - 20 August - Oostduinkerke

• 11.00 am:Koksijde, Sint-Pietersplein, Belgian military court of honour;
• 02.30 pm:"Memorial military and civilian victims of Nieuwpoort",
  Onze-Lieve-Vrouwstraat, Nieuwpoort.

Wednesday - 21 August - Diksmuide

• 11.00 am:"Belgian military cemetery", Poelkapellestraat - Houthulst;
• 01.00 pm:"Memorial wall for Admiral Ronarc'h and the French Marine Fusiliers", Stadspark, Diksmuide
  organisation Souvenir Français and Grouping Patriotic Associations Diksmuide;
• 02.15 pm:"Our Lady's Corner", Oud Stuivekens-2, Oud-Stuivekenskerke - Diksmuide,
  organisation by "The Friends of Our Lady's Corner";
• 04.30 pm:"Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof", Houtlandstraat, Vladslo - Diksmuide;
• 05.30 pm:"Memorials Italy Square", Italy Square, Diksmuide,
  organisation Grouping Patriotic Associations Diksmuide;
• 06.00 pm:"Monument Baron General Jacques de Dixmude", Market Square, Diksmuide".

Thursday - 22 August - Poperinge

• 03.30 pm:"Nine Elms military cemetery", Helleketelweg-Poperinge;
  
• 06.15 pm:"Memorial military and civilian victims of Poperinge", Market Square, Poperinge.
  

Friday - 23 August - Ypres

• 11.30 am:"Irish Peace Park" Armentierssteenweg-Mesen;
  
• 03.30 pm:Last Post, Menin Gate, Ypres;
  
• 03.45 pm:Closing parade, Grote Markt, Ypres.