1914 : Going to war

The Refugees

Heavy baggage in hand, families try to clear a path across Place Rogier. In the background, people observe these newly arrived refugees coming from Gare du Nord nearby. Fleeing the German attacks, the people from Liège began to arrive in Brussels as early as 7 August. A movement of solidarity was quickly organized. Some were hosted by civilians, while others were accommodated in the Chapelle des Minimes, which had been converted into a place of refuge. The municipal authorities participated too, and from 7 to 20 August, nearly 4,000 Liegeois refugees were assisted by the City of Brussels.