PROCLAMATION Ville de Bruxelles – “City of Brussels. Proclamation” – A Double-Sided Official Poster in which Mayor Joseph Vandemeulebroeck Announces His Forced Resignation Following the Nazi Occupation, After Refusing to Continue in His Role Under Decrees That Subjugated Him to Nazi Authority. Identical Text in French on One Side and Dutch on the Other. June 30, 1941. Rare.
Text of the Proclamation:
“The City of Brussels, Proclamation. My Dear Citizens,
The German authority has just informed me that I must cease performing my duties as mayor; I must comply with this order, although it is contrary to the law and violates the Hague Convention, and in fact, nothing justifies the step taken against me; I am indeed aware that I have faithfully and honestly fulfilled the numerous, heavy, and always painful duties imposed on the leaders of towns and communes occupied by the enemy. I was offered to continue in my role, but under conditions that imply my participation in the enforcement of the decrees of April 16 and May 26, 1941, enacted by a Belgian authority, contrary to the law of May 10, 1940, on which this authority relies to exercise power; in surrendering, to trample on honor and duty, and to disobey one of the fundamental laws of our country, laws I swore to uphold: I refused. Contrary to what has been said, I did not leave my position, nor did I offer my resignation. I remain and will remain the only legitimate mayor of Brussels. Anything that the Belgian authority does or will do under the above-mentioned decrees has no legal basis. I am leaving for now, but not saying goodbye, I will return soon. As I temporarily leave you, I ask you to bear your material and moral sufferings with calmness, courage, and confidence; you will face the challenges with a proud gaze, with a strong and unshakable heart. Those who are truly of our race fear nothing and no one in this world; they have only one fear: not doing their full duty and losing their honor. Stay united. Our union will be our strength and will make us better! G-d save Belgium and its king. Mayor F. J. Van de Meulebroeck. City Hall, June 30, 1941.”
Joseph Vandemeulebroeck [1876-1958], Mayor of Brussels, was a Belgian liberal politician forced to resign as mayor on June 30, 1941, following the Nazi occupation of the city. His dismissal was ostensibly due to an age limitation policy for officials—the reason given for his removal was the Amtsverbot decree, which set an age limit of 60 for public officeholders. However, this was merely a pretext used by the Nazis who decided to replace him due to his patriotic stance against the occupation. Vandemeulebroeck was then 65 years old, and ironically, he was replaced by Jan Grauls, who was five years older, revealing the hypocrisy and deceit of the Nazis. Before his arrest by the Nazis, Vandemeulebroeck issued this proclamation, declaring that he had not abandoned his post nor submitted his resignation, but that it was forced upon him. Despite his resignation, the Nazis did not leave him in peace, and he was deported to Germany. His replacement was part of a broader strategy by the Nazi authorities, who preferred to appoint strict local leaders to strengthen their control over the city. His successor did not remain in the traditional mayoral role for long, and on September 24, 1942, the City of Brussels was merged with its predominantly Flemish-speaking suburbs to create the new area of Groß-Brüssel (“Greater Brussels”), where Jan Grauls was appointed “Burgomaster.” After the liberation of Brussels in September 1944, Vandemeulebroeck was reinstated as mayor, continuing in that role until 1956.
27×20 cm. Small holes at the top from being hung on a wall. Very good condition.
