Statue Guido Gezelle - Bruges

This statue of Guido Gezelle, born in Bruges, is located on the square that bears his name. Guido Gezelle spent part of his life working in Bruges as a teacher and curate. He tried to make the Flemish language a better one, independent of the Dutch language. He is known as a poet for his poetry.

After his royal funeral in Bruges in 1899, it was inaugurated in 1930 on the occasion of the centenary of his birth.

The controversy surrounding the image:

Initially, the monument was to be erected opposite Gezelle's birthplace , between the Sint-Janshuismolen and Bonne-Chièremolen, but this was not to the liking of the Association of Flemish Associations, which was in favor of a site in the full city center, at the foot of of the Church of Our Lady.

A design by the renowned architect Henry Van de Velde, he proposed a considerable building , with walls, stairs, landscaping, water feature, where the statue of Gezelle would rise in the middle. For the statue itself, designs were submitted by Oscar Jespers and Jules Lagae . The first discord arose because not everyone was happy with Van de Velde's monumental contribution. In addition, the architect felt that only Jespers' design harmonized with the environment he had created and that he would withdraw his design if Lagae's image was preferred.

After much discussion, the statue of Lagae was eventually chosen , without the surrounding construction, and placed on the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerkhofplein, now Guido Gezelleplein.

The statue was unveiled on Sunday 4 May 1930 in the presence of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth.

Willem Vandenameele