Vinkt

Vinkt is a small village in the Flemish Region of Belgium, located in East Flanders. It is a rural community characterized by agricultural landscapes and a dispersed settlement pattern. The name appears in historical records dating back to the Middle Ages, reflecting a long-standing rural community.

During World War II, Vinkt is historically significant for the Vinkt massacre, a mass killing of Belgian civilians in late May 1940 carried out by German forces during the invasion of Belgium. The incident occurred in and around the village and nearby settlements, resulting in a substantial loss of civilian life and contributing to the wartime suffering of the area. In the aftermath, a memorial and local remembrance initiatives were established to honor the victims; the event is a central part of the local historical narrative and is studied as part of the broader history of the occupation of Belgium.

Today, Vinkt remains a small rural village within East Flanders. It has a locally oriented community with a church and a handful of services that serve surrounding hamlets. The economy is largely agricultural, with residents often participating in broader regional economies in nearby towns. Access is provided by regional roads; the village does not have a railway station of its own, with rail links available in nearby towns.

Notable features and heritage include the memory of the 1940 massacre, which is commemorated by memorials and educational materials at the site. Vinkt is part of the broader historical and cultural landscape of rural East Flanders, reflecting both medieval roots and 20th-century history.