Ypres (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): In 2022, Ypres canceled the Frontnacht festival organized by lJzerwake due to neo-Nazi links. The Council of State supported the organizers, emphasizing event rights amid safety concerns.
In 2022, Ypres, a city known for promoting peace and remembering World War I, got a lot of backlash for allowing the Frontnacht festival. This festival is run by a group called vzw Ijzerwake and is linked to another event that honors Flemish soldiers from the world wars. Many people were concerned because the festival had ties to right-wing nationalist groups. Critics argued that having this event in Ypres, a city that represents peace and unity, was not appropriate. They worried it would attract far-right groups and spread ideas that go against the city’s values of coming together and reconciliation.
How did Ypres balance peace and freedom with the Frontnacht festival controversy?
The decision to allow the festival caused a lot of debate, with many groups and public figures wanting it to be canceled because they thought it would hurt Ypres’ peaceful reputation. Ypres officials explained that they had to follow the law and grant permits to events that met local rules. However, this situation led to a bigger conversation about how to balance people’s right to gather with the need to protect Ypres’ identity as a city of peace.
The festival was supposed to happen right before the Yser Wake, a Flemish nationalist event. It turned out that the bands scheduled to play had links to neo-Nazi and fascist groups, so the city council canceled the permit. But then, the Council of State-backed the organizers, saying that stopping events before they happen isn’t okay anymore. Egwin Six from Izerwake said they would never let illegal bands perform.
In Ypres, people aren’t surprised by the Council of State’s decision, but they still support it. Alderman Philip Bolle said the cancellation was needed because there were threats and violence, and they had to keep everyone safe. Even though the Council backed the organizers, the group that planned the Frontnacht festival won’t do it again. Instead, they will have a different event on their camaraderie night. They also want the city to pay them for the money they lost because of the canceled festival.
