2027: Let’s commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Arras

In 2027, Arras and all the other towns and villages in the Pays d’Artois region are coming together to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Arras. Through a collective programme of events across the region, this year of commemoration will pay tribute to those who, having come from all over the world, fought on our soil and helped shape our history. A year to remember, to pass on the legacy and to keep the memory alive together.

Along a 20-kilometre stretch between Vimy, Arras and Bullecourt, the front line saw men from many parts of the British Empire converge. Australians, New Zealanders, British, Canadians and soldiers from other parts of the Empire took part in the fighting, making the Battle of Arras a profoundly international episode of the Great War.

Beneath the streets of Arras, deep within the old chalk quarries, an underground network is being built in preparation for the offensive.

On 9 April 1917, nearly 24,000 soldiers emerged from the quarries and took up their positions on the front lines. They had spent several days underground, in difficult conditions, before entering the battlefield.

• The New Zealand tunnel-diggers: men of remarkable skill. Miners in civilian life, some New Zealand soldiers put their experience to use in underground operations. They helped to develop and connect the old quarries at Arras to create a network that could shelter and transport troops ahead of the offensive.

• The Maori pioneers: soldiers from Aotearoa. As part of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company, these natives of Aotearoa | New Zealand played their part in the war effort and left their mark on the quarries and the history of the Artois region.

• The Cook Islands Sappers: a Pacific presence near Arras. Assigned to engineering units, they left their islands to take part in the work required to keep the front line functioning, often under difficult conditions.

• From 1 April 2027, the Arras lion will roar once more: it will return to its place at the top of the belfry, after a twenty-month absence for restoration work.
  
  A symbol of the city, the Lion of Arras had collapsed on that tragic 21 October 1914… before being restored to its former glory in 1929! A century later, the giant copper lion (weighing 350 kilos and standing 3.5 metres tall) has been given a facelift. From the Place des Héros, if you look up, you’ll see it shining brightly once again.

• 4 April 2027, the Trail des Braves: to encourage the public to walk in the footsteps of history, the first Trail des Braves will be held on 4 April. Three routes are on offer: a long route (42 km), a medium route (23 km) and a short route (12 km). The number of participants is symbolically limited to 3,598 trail runners – the exact number of Canadian soldiers killed on that single day, 9 April 1917.

• 9 April 2027, the dawn service: at 6.30 am, every 9 April since 2009, hearts are filled with emotion at the foot of the Wellington Quarry Memorial Wall. During the dawn service, emotions will run high. With readings of soldiers’ letters, testimonies from the descendants of New Zealand tunnel-diggers and songs, the tribute paid to British and Commonwealth soldiers will be particularly moving.

• 15 and 16 May 2027, to the sound of bagpipes: on Saturday 15 May at 6.00 pm, on the Place des Héros, 400 musicians will come together for a massive concert. This unprecedented concert featuring bagpipers from across Europe will be followed the next day by a grand parade through the streets of Arras

Keep up to date with all the latest news, highlights, ceremonies and events across all the neighbourhoods of Arras by visiting the City of Arras’s website dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Arras.

Visit the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Arras website

Drawing inspiration in particular from New Zealand’s flora, the themed gardens will offer a space dedicated to contemplation and strolling. Cordyline, tree ferns and phormium will evoke the landscapes of the homeland of many New Zealand soldiers.

Three new memorials dedicated to the men of the Tunnelling Company, the Māori pioneers and the soldiers from the Cook Islands will be erected in the park, completing this brand-new memorial space.

This new space will offer a different way of preserving the memory of people who came from the other side of the world, by bringing together history, landscape and heritage.

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Plan your visit for the Arras Pays d’Artois commemorations in 2027

Don’t miss this commemorative event. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a descendant of a soldier, or simply keen to experience a deeply moving event, Arras looks forward to welcoming you in 2027.

• Visit the City of Arras’s website dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Arras.

• Need help with your group travel plans? Our destination experts are on hand to help you put together your commemorative itinerary in Artois. Get in touch with them to discuss your plans and put together your programme!