Farmers War Memorial Overmere

The Farmers' War Monument was erected in 1898 to a design by artist Aloïs De Beule to commemorate 100 years of the Boer War, a historic event that was frequently commemorated in Flanders around the turn of the century by festivities and the placement of memorials.
The monument represents the 'Triumph of the beginning of the battle' by analogy with the start of the Peasant War in the municipality on October 12, 1798 and forms a thematic whole with the monument in Mol that visualizes the broken resistance. Designed on behalf of the Catholic bourgeoisie, the Peasants' War Memorial is exemplary for the 19th-century romanticized representation of the revolt of the 'Flemish religious rural population' against the French occupier, within the context of the Flemish emancipation struggle and the Catholic revival at the end of the 19th century. the believing rural villages.

The Farmers' War Monument, consisting of a very high-quality figurative bronze sculpture group on a high hard stone pedestal with surrounding ornamental ironwork, bears witness to a great articity. The monument is extremely representative of the artistic craftsmanship of Aloïs De Beule (1861-1935).
The location on the forecourt of the Assumption Church in the historic center of the village is, according to tradition, the place where the Boer War began on October 12, 1798.

On the plinth we see the following texts:
"This is where the peasant war started
for God and country
on October 12, 1798 "

"Taken away by the Germans
on Aug 20, 1918 "

"Found violated in Ghent
on February 4. 1919 "

"This memorial was inaugurated
July 31, 1898.
Festively relocated on August 22, 1920 "


Source: Cultuurdienst Berlare

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Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck