IJzerbedevaart

The IJzerbedevaart (Pilgrimage of the Yser / Yzer Pilgrimage / Iron Pilgrimage) is a yearly gathering of Flemings, at the IJzertoren in Diksmuide. This pilgrimage remembers the Flemish soldiers who died during the First World War and was first organised in 1920. It is at the same time a political meeting striving for Flemish political autonomy. During the Second World War the pilgrimages were organised by the German occupying forces. Because of this link that stills goes on, Diksmuide became a gathering place of neo-nazis from all over Europe during the weekend of the IJzerbedevaart.