Young Historians' Day – 27 November 2026
On Friday, November 27, 2026, CegeSoma/State Archives will honor a new generation of talented historians at its annual symposium dedicated to them. About twenty recent graduates from various universities across the country will present the findings of their master’s theses and share fresh perspectives on contemporary history. The two World Wars, the Cold War, colonization, and decolonization will be at the heart of the discussions.
Over the course of four sessions, the event will showcase the full diversity of current historical research. Topics will include the Flamenpolitik and the language issue in Brussels schools during World War I, Belgium’s participation in the Allied offensive of 1918, the revolutionary riots in November in Esch-sur-Alzette, and morale within the German Sixth Army at the end of the war.
Research on colonization and its legacies will address topics as varied as psychology, gender, and the production of colonial knowledge in the Congo; colonial arts education; the emancipatory actions of women in Kinshasa from 1945 to 1960; the geopolitics of diamonds in South Kasai, the evolution of representations of the Congo in Belgian comic books, and, finally, postcolonial migration.
Regarding World War II and the immediate postwar period, contributions will focus in particular on desertions of soldiers from the Eastern Cantons, the new order of the Belgian food economy, the attitude of Ghent employers toward the occupying forces’ forced labor policy, the portrayal of war victims in illustrated periodicals, the life story of a former member of the Wallonia Legion, and the search for missing Belgians in postwar Europe.
Finally, the last session will explore the Cold War and changing societies, with research focusing in particular on the history of women in prison in Belgium, relations between the Gendarmerie and demonstrators in the peace movement, Belgian-Romanian diplomatic relations, and the reconstruction of Kortrijk between 1940 and 1960.
Beyond the presentation of their research, this event is intended above all as a forum for exchange among young historians, history students, and members of the public interested in contemporary history. Each session will allow ample time for questions and discussion. Everyone is welcome!