Never again. Gardens of Peace. A landscape and architectural history of war cemeteries

How is it that the photographs taken by Christine Bastin and Jacques Evrard move us in a similar way to when we walk along the pathways and contemplate the memorials of the cemeteries of both world wars?
The photographers take us on a journey through the burial grounds of the Western Front and of Normandy, arousing powerful emotions in us as we explore the landscaping and gardens that reflect the native countries of the fallen resting in the ground for eternity. How does the art of war cemeteries, which are designed just like gardens, originate from the history of western civilian graveyards? How do these cemeteries emerge from the tradition of the gardens, landscapes and architecture belonging to each nation concerned?
We invite you on a discovery of this little known heritage, illuminated by the commentaries of several specialist authors: Marie-Madeleine Damien, Secretary General of the Paysages et Sites de mémoire de la Grande Guerre and Professor Emeritus at the University of Lille; Paul Gough, painter and Professor at RMIT University (Melbourne), with a special interest in the representation of memorialisation; Bernard Klein, Director of the International Youth Centre Albert Schweitzer in Niederbronn-les-Bains, Alsace; Isabelle Loodts, archaeologist, journalist, author and film director; Chantal Pradines, author and specialist of of tree avenues; and Simon Rietz, landscape architect and author of a historical study of First World War German war cemeteries.

Michel Racine, Garden architect and urban planner Member of Honour of the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes.

Photography by Christine Bastin & Jacques Evrard.