Secretariat of Catholic Flemish High Students


In February 1916, French Daels and Hilaire Gravez founded the Secretariat of Catholic Flemish High Students (S.K.V.H.), which provided a bundle of initiatives.

The purpose of the S.K.V.H. was "the preservation of Flemish boys, among the multitude of dangers, inseparable from an elongated unnatural war life." In other words, the purpose of the S.K.V.H. from supporting the Flemish soldiers at the front, and contributing to their humanity during the First World War.

The S.K.V.H. spread 700,000 stamps with pronouns such as "Keep Your Fear Keeping You Clean" and "Men's Advent of Fury of Youth" and "Sacred People, Great People" and "Anti-alcohol" Stamps. The purpose of these stamps was to keep the boys at the front of man and to raise awareness of their human dignity.

In spite of these educative messages, Colonel Olaerts made a service order, prohibiting the soldiers from using these seals at the post. But the actions continued, new brochures were issued, libraries and studios were established. In 1917 the "mis- and prayer book of the Flemish soldier" appeared in which the moving "Prayer for Flanders" of Cyriel Verschaeve appeared. Like "Our Songbook" by Jan Bernaerts, the spread of this piece was also prevented by the army.

The S.K.V.H did not only share literature but also brought plays. Doctor Oscar De Gruyter (later leader of the Flemish play and director of the Royal Dutch theater), priest Jan Bernaerts (leader of the theater circle the Sunflower), Julia Plateau (The Flemish Christian Theater) and Hendrik Laloo met at the front and traded together with some women for the front desk.

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