Belgium: The Battlefield of Europe with Dr. Natalie Lefevre

Throughout history, Belgium has been the scene of countless wars between European powers. From the Wars of the Sun King and Napoleon to both World Wars, battlefield scars and marks remain in today’s Belgium. This seminar will explore historic battles as we focus on just why Belgium became the ‘battlefield of Europe’.

Belgium has played a decisive role in countless important battles and wars as battlefield throughout history. This seminar focuses on the main battles of the last 400 years and their remnants, including the Wars of the French Sun King Louis XIV, the Napoleonic Wars and more specifically the Battle of Waterloo and World War I and II.

In this seminar, we will learn about these battles fought in (what is now) Belgium but especially on what can still be witnessed and visited today. This ranges from the actual battlefields with for instance trenches or bunkers to concentration camps and memorials for the Fallen.

Led by an expert on Belgium’s history and conflict, Natalie Lefevre, this interactive seminar will explain why Belgium has been ‘the battlefield of Europe’ throughout history. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the battles and wars fought in Belgium and what is still there to see today.

Belgian native Natalie Lefebre has a PhD in International Studies with a focus on social-political and conflict studies (UK) but her first university degree was a Master in Cultural Studies from Ghent University. Natalie decided to combine her educational background with her interest and passion for sustainable and educational tourism and founded a small-scale tour operator in Peru while she was living there. After returning to Belgium, she started guiding visitors in Bruges, Ghent, and other Belgian cities.

This conversation is suitable for all ages

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.