Servais theme exhibition in Blankenberge

New exhibition | 5 June – 8 November 2026

This summer, Raoul Servais Collection and CC Blankenberge present a remarkable exhibition at the De Meridiaan exhibition space in Blankenberge.

RAOUL SERVAIS: Not to War is a powerful plea against war and indifference — and a tribute to one of the greatest Belgian animation filmmakers of all time.

A life shaped by war

Raoul Servais (Ostend, 1928 – Leffinge, 2023) grew up in the shadow of two world wars. At the age of twelve, he fled the bombing of Ostend with his mother and brother to France, where he narrowly escaped death on several occasions. Those experiences left deep marks — and became an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

Throughout his life, he documented war and repression. He drew on these themes almost every day. Not out of bitterness, but out of conviction: Not to War was not a slogan for him — it was a way of life.

Five films. One vision.

The exhibition gathers original animation cels, sketches and archival material, and screens five short films in their entirety: Chromophobia (1965), Operation X-70 (1971), Nocturnal Butterflies (1998), Tank (2015) and Der Lange Kerl (2022). Together, they offer a compelling overview of a career that never stopped warning, wondering and moving its audience.

The exhibition is featuring an exclusive interview with Servais, recorded during the production of Rudy Pinceel’s documentary SERVAIS.

More urgent than ever

In a world where conflict and polarisation are once again on the rise, his message sounds louder than ever. Not to War is more than an exhibition — it is an enduring call for empathy and humanity, one that Raoul Servais carried throughout his entire life and now leaves with us.

Practical info

Location : De Meridiaan exhibition space, Casinoplein, 8370 Blankenberge

Dates : 5 June – 8 November 2026

Opening hours :

Wednesday to Sunday                      Holiday periods

14:00–17:00                    daily 14:00–17:00

Free admission

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The exhibition RAOUL SERVAIS: Not to War is a production of Raoul Servais Collection,

in collaboration with the Local Government of Blankenberge..

Curators. Muriel Dubrulle & Jacques Dubrulle – Raoul Servais Collection. (www.raoulservaiscollection.com)

Production. CC Blankenberge /  Technical Services Blankenberge

We thank Regina De Martelaere – CINEMATEK / Rudy Pinceel – House of the Dingo / Annemie Degryse – Lumière / REKKER /

Nobilis / Perka NV printing / Studio Engarde graphic design / The King Baudouin Foundation, to which Raoul Servais donated a large part of his work.

The exhibition was made possible thanks to the collaboration with the Servais heirs via RAOUL SERVAIS COLLECTION.

The films were made available by CINEMATEK, which has restored and digitised all of Raoul Servais's films.

More info : www.ccblankenberge.be