On 24 November 2014, following numerous presentations, meetings and a lot of correspondence with officials at the City of Ypres, an official letter from the Bergemeester (Mayor) was received granting permission to hold the International Blacksmithing Event at the Grote Markt Ypres. The City has a busy calendar with a lot of events happening during 2014 through to 2018 and the dates for our event have been confirmed as 1st September to 6th September 2016.
Jan Durnez, Burgemeester (Mayor) wrote:
“Yesterday the appeal for the event was discussed at the deputation of Ypres. Principal approval was given for the organisation of the event. The build-up has to happen on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 August 2016.
The 6 day event would then proceed from Thursday 1 September, up to and including Tuesday 6 September. The clean-up has to proceed on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 September. Only the sculpture can stay until Sunday 11 September. On Monday 12 September the sculpture has to be removed from the market square.
There still has to be a lot of consultation about the practical issues, but meanwhile this is the confirmation of the period for the event.
Jan Durnez
Burgemeester”
