11 November is a public holiday in Belgium. A number of commemorative events are held in Ieper (Ypres) to mark the anniversary of Armistice Day on 11th November 1918.

The Poppy Parade is open to all to take part. Everyone who wishes to join The Poppy Parade is invited to form up in the Vandepeereboomplein square by St. George's Church and St. Martin's Cathedral.

The idea for The Poppy Parade was conceived in the early 1990s by Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Parker; it takes its inspiration from the poem by John McCrae “In Flanders Fields”, which was written close to Ypres in the spring of 1915. Everyone participating in The Poppy Parade is offered a poppy petal to carry to The Menin Gate Memorial.

Poppy Parade poppy petals flutter on the breeze during the ceremony.

The Poppy Parade moves off in front of the official parade of Standards, bands and VIPs, making its way to the Menin Gate Memorial for the 11 o'clock Special Last Post Ceremony. As the Poppy Parade passes through The Menin Gate all the poppy petals carried by those in this parade are collected in baskets. The Poppy Parade passes through the Menin Gate and is halted at the eastern side of The Menin Gate in a specially reserved area.

During the ceremony the poppy petals carried by The Poppy Parade are released from the roof of the Menin Gate. This is a very special moment which has become an integral part of the annual ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Belgian photographer Bart Leye made a photo documentary about Remembrance Day in Ypres during the last 20 years. He has made a remarkable book of that specific moment when people commemorate a family member who fought in the Great War.

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, not the years condemn.

We will remember them.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

We will remember them" - Lawrence Binyon.