1918. 2018. 2118. In 2018 we demontrated once again our desire to commemorate the Great War. Symbols representing our heritage bear testimony to past events and act as a commemoration of them. Which is why the AGB Het Gasthuis, together with the Aarschot church council (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw) had decided to inaugurate a peace carillon as a lasting testimony of the end of WWI, one that will endure even until 2118. The historians of WAGDI and the artists of HABKA provided the input for the storylines on the bells, such as the reference to the martyr cities, the (European) message of peace, the war in the Hageland on the outskirts of Aarschot. The carillon was inaugurated on August 19, 2018 (raid on Aarschot). The bells have rung out during the anniversary on 11 November 2018. The European dimension, the region-centred history and the involvement of all the different players including grant providers, have had a place in these commemorative ceremonies. A final important aspect is the facilities that will continue once the event is over with listening benches, carillon concerts, tours for tourists, music during market days, educational and child-friendly projects and cycling tours. Aarschot is now the 4th martyr town with a full carillon following in the footsteps of Leuven, Dendermonde and Dinant. The carillon has also provided important added value to our region drawing attention to the regional commemorations of the 100th anniversary of WWI.
