Belgians RTW

04/06/2026

"The goal is to have the Sablon become a vibrant meeting place where residents, visitors, antique dealers, galleries and markets co-exist."
Is it not that already?
From my perspective, all that's lacking is somewhere to buy a sandwich at 8.15am in preparation for a quick lunch during a heavy session at the Archives de l'État en Belgique 😘 🫣

The City of Brussels has finalised its plan for the redevelopment of the Sablon district, aiming to make the square in the city centre greener, more accessible and more attractive, while respecting its historic character and unique identity.

04/06/2026

It's Gypsy Roma and Traveller Month and I discover that one of the refugee families who passed through Tunbridge Wells during the First World War belonged to this community. They were Jenische from Alsace-Lorraine. Blog post coming soon.

22/05/2026

We're finding many extended family relationships between the refugees who came from Belgium to Tunbridge Wells in WW1.
Just found someone who's the - deep breath - ..mother-in-law of the first cousin 1x removed of the wife of the great-nephew of the wife of another refugee's first cousin 1x removed...

Photo because apparently FB likes them! It's the stunning painting in Folkestone Museum of refugees being welcomed in 1914. Painted by one of the refugees, Fredo Franzoni, it was given to to the Town as a thank you for all the kindness and generosity to the 65,000 Belgian war refugees that passed through Folkestone. Well worth a visit!

18/05/2026

12/05/2026

Back speaking at The London Archives again today 👍.🇧🇪

21/01/2026

Settling down to work in the Local Studies room at The Amelia Scott I thought to myself "I recognise the back of that head!" ❤️

23/10/2025

Brilliant day! Gave a presentation in London about my research and in the audience was a descendant of one of our Belgian refugees! He thought he was coming to a presentation about London, and there was a photo of his great-grandfather! Makes it all worthwhile!🥰 (Watch this space...)

09/10/2025

In advance of the workshop at The London Archives I visited In Flanders Fields Museum recently to see their exhibition "Ontheemd Displaced".
Small but perfectly formed.
Well worth a visit.
They're collecting memories. Looking forward to finding out how our research can help.

09/10/2025

Looking forward to this on 23rd October. Join me?

In this interactive workshop led by a panel of expert historians you will learn more about the history of Belgian refugees and how to research it further.

18/09/2025

Well now - two exciting invitations just come in 🥰

One to the private view of this : https://davidblandy.co.uk/exhibitionsandscreenings/2025/9/26/commons-david-blandy-a-film-amp-video-umbrella-commission
at The Amelia in Tunbridge Wells - the film includes Balder Dendievel playing the oboe piece by Frédéric Bonzon which he played at our Tunbridge Wells Belgian Week 2017 concert in July 2017

And another to speak at a seminar in London about my research! More in due course...

A film of deep time, shared stories and common futures. Commons is an expansive and thought-provoking new film by artist David Blandy , presented for the first time at The Amelia Scott in Tunbridge Wells. The work has been co-commissioned by The Amelia Scott and Film and Video Umbrella as pa