Vindevogel: historical truth and public memories about the 'repression' in Flanders

Leo Vindevogel was the war mayor of Ronse and the only member of parliament in Belgium to be executed for collaboration during the Second World War after the liberation. In a lasting culture of collective remembrance, he became perhaps the most iconic symbol in Flanders of the so-cal-led failure of post-war repression. This article juxtaposes the image with the historical truth, using sources never consulted before. After an in-depth analysis of the genesis and content of the image formation and of the judicial process, this contribution concludes with some reflections on the relationship between myth formation and historical truth; on emotion and reason.