Liberas is the heritage centre dedicated to the history of the freedom ideal in all its facets. Founded in 1982 as a repository for the history of liberalism in Flanders and Belgium, it has since evolved into a broader archival institution. Today, Liberas also collects and preserves the heritage of individuals and organisations that have contributed to the development of the freedom ideal. Our work is organised around several thematic areas, including: freedom & democracy, freedom & associations, freedom & entrepreneurship, freedom & thought, freedom & education, freedom of expression, freedom & human rights, and freedom & resistance.
Archives
Liberas preserves over 10 kilometres of archival material from organisations, associations, families and individuals connected to the history of freedom ideal in its broadest sense. Alongside archives from the liberal tradition, the collections also include records of those who were inspired by the freedom ideal, who acted from a belief in freedom, or who are connected to the collection in any other way.
Library
With more than 80,000 titles, the Liberas library is the leading resource in Flanders for research on the liberal movement, free thought and related themes such as freemasonry, war and resistance, and political ideologies.
The catalogue can be accessed via the search function on this website. Materials are available for consultation in the reading room and cannot be borrowed.
Image collection
Liberas preserves a rich iconographic collection: flags, posters, diplomas, menus, photographs, postcards, porcelain cards, medals, museum objects and audio-visual material.
Thematic selections are available through our online exhibitions and on the Liberas Flickr page.
Newspapers and magazines
Liberas holds an extensive collection of newspapers and magazines. Descriptions are available through the library catalogue. Many titles have been digitised and can be searched in full text via this website.
YOUR ARCHIVE AT LIBERAS?
Would you like to preserve your company’s, organisation’s, or personal archive and make it accessible for future generations? Entrust your valuable heritage to Liberas.
Liberas specialises in the preservation and management of archives from a wide range of organisations and individuals. Whether your archive is political, social, cultural or commercial in nature, we ensure that your unique history is safeguarded for the future.