Ghent International Exposition 1913

The Ghent International Exposition of 1913 (Dutch: Wereldtentoonstelling van 1913 Gent, French: Exposition universelle et internationale de 1913 Gand) was a world’s fair held in Ghent, Belgium, from April 26 to November 3, 1913. It had an area of 130 hectares, making it larger than any previous Belgium expo, and it attracted 9,503,419 visitors. There were 24 (one source says 30) international pavilions, with France having the largest presence.

The construction of the exposition was controversial. It included many major urban renewal projects in the inner city, in the Sint-Pieters-Aalstwijk, where the Citadel Park and the Miljoenenkwartier are now located, and it ended on the eve of World War I with serious debts. Only a few of the original buildings have survived. This was one of the last world expositions with a “human zoo.” Unfortunate tribe members brought from the Phillipines and Senegal for display, and at least one perished of TB.

Alexandre Lion had not one, but two incubator exhibits at this exposition. One was in the “Old Flanders” (Vieielle Flandre) district, which featured examples of classical Flemish architecture, while the other was at 146, Ave. du Belvédère. Although I have not been able to find any pictures of Lion’s pavilions as yet, his usual souvenir postcards are easy to find on eBay, and I was also able to find an invitation to the “Old Flanders” exhibit.

Above: The two pavilions with children’s incubators were located in the most popular places: one on Belvédèrelaan and another in the “Old Flanders” district (Dutch: Oud Vlaanderen, French: Vieille Flandre).

Above: Dutch: Uitnodiging voor het paviljoen met couveuses dat zich in Oud Vlaanderen bevond. English: Invitation to the pavilion with incubators located in Old Flanders.