Leuven in Flames

[Bert Heyvaert]

If there's someone visiting Leuven (Louvain) in the following months ( I doubt someone will do so, but anyway), there is a small but very good documented new exhibition in the University library called 'Leuven in Flames'. It covers the destruction of the town in 1914 and the rebuilding of the university library after the war with American funding.

You can find the library at the Ladeuzeplein, entrance is free.

If you'd come, let me know and I'll buy you a drink on the 'oude markt' (old market square).

best,

Bert.

[CROONAERT]

If there's someone visiting Leuven (Louvain) in the following months ( I doubt someone will do so, but anyway)

Hey, guess what, Bert!!!

I'll probably be passing through at the end of July, so ,thanks for that, I think I'll take a look. I'll email you nearer the time.

(Can't pass up on a free beer either, no-matter what the distance!!!! )

Dave.

[andigger]

This is little bit later than the orignial posting date, but is there any books or web sites about the library burning or its rebuilding. Andy

[Guest Koert Debyser]

There is a recent book in Dutch: "Aan onze helden en martelaren... Beelden van de brand van Leuven (augustus 1914)", by M. Ceunen and P. Veldeman, Uitgeverij Peeters, Leuven, 2004, ISBN 90-429-1506-4.

Translation of the title: "To our heroes and martyrs... Images of the fire of Leuven (August 1914)".

The book deals not only with the burning of the University Library, but gives an overview of all the buildings in Leuven destroyed by fire during that first month of the war. The University Library was only one of the many, but obviously the most famous one.

Kind regards,

Koert