Given the current circumstances, the municipality of Zonnebeke, by mutual agreement of the Embassies of New Zealand and Australia to Belgium, decided to cancel the annual commemoration on Anzac Day, 25 April 2020.

On 25 April 1915 the ‘Australian and New Zealand Army Corps’ (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli for their first major battle of the First World War. Many lives were lost. For years, the Memorial Museum Passchendaele1917, together with the municipality of Zonnebeke and the volunteers of the GPS1917, normally organises a ceremony at Buttes New British Cemetery and Tyne Cot Cemetery. The municipality of Zonnebeke also holds a breakfast to strengthen the bonds between the countries.


 
"Every year on Anzac Day we commemorate the thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who came to the Western front and to Flanders to fight for our freedom and democracy. Although this year’s service is cancelled, we will think of those who served and suffered here. In doing so it reminds us all of the importance of remembrance,  but also of the bonds that have been created and strengthened since. In the past years, the story of tragedy and loss has transformed into one of strength, solidarity and enduring friendship", Dirk Sioen, Mayor of Zonnebeke.