Happy birthday Flanders! The July 11 show in front of city hall was just perfect. More to follow.
My photo: the yellow Flemish Lion flag flies on top of Antwerp cathedral at noon, July 11, 2008.
[Please click images for details]
Quote:
“Flanders, the Dutch speaking majority in Belgium celebrated its official “national day” July 11, 2008. The Flemish Community Holiday on 11 July remembers “The Battle of the Golden Spurs (Dutch: De Guldensporenslag, French: “bataille des éperons d’or”) , fought on July 11, 1302, near Kortrijk in Flanders. It is considered one of the main reasons that Dutch is the language spoken in Flanders [Belgium] today. The day is remembered every year in Flanders as the Flemish Community’s official holiday”.
Related: A funny ’social/political’ note: while the Dutch and French speaking Belgians have been on an neverending, ongoing political collision course during the past 50 years (especially regarding Brussels, the rather arrogant Belgian capital – once a Dutch speaking town, now ‘bilingual’ but in reality +90% French speaking, right in Dutch speaking Flanders), we do poke fun at each other. Even when a number of parties are doing their utmost to split Belgium.
In 1986, Sandra Kim, a 13 yo girl from French speaking southern Belgium, won the Eurovision song contest. It was the only time Belgium [links to wikipedia] actually won this contest. Today, 22y later, Dutch and French speaking Belgians are still poking fun at each other using her song. If you can understand spoken or written French, check these YouTube videos On top: the 1986 original, second one: a Belgian/Dutch speaking actor making fun of the French original, in French, with French subtitles. 22y later that former 13 yo girl, now a grown 35yo woman, is still making a living based on that singe “j’aime la vie” song. At present, she’s ‘featuring’ in a soap TV commercial 
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.
What a stunning photo, Peter! Just gorgeous with the the flags flying, their colors, the cathedral’s golden color, and the beautiful blue sky. Really fantastic. Happy National Day!! Wow, 1302. Such history. Glad the celebration turned out so fabulously. Look forward to hearing the details.
[Blog author: "Thanks Shirley! I was quite pleased with this shot, as later on it started to rain, a very 'Belgian event' (it rains 200 days a year in this blessed kingdom by the sea). We didn't get any fireworks, but this year we had an open air dance event in front of city hall. People were invited to dance to classic tunes, followed by an open air stage show with some local stars, like last year's Belgian Eurosong contestant (she lost
). As usual, there was a lot of Belgian beer, with crowded open air bars until early morning. I'll process my pictures asap."]
Comment by Shirley — July 12, 2008 @ 3:47 am |
I would be willing to flash boobies for Flanders birthday. *grins*
[Blog author: "Two years ago someone had vibrators on sale in front of Antwerp city hall, I'd assume you'd get a big round of applause Claudia
"]
Comment by Claudia — July 12, 2008 @ 4:54 am |
Well, returning the Independence Day greetings from you, Happy B-day to Flanders!
BTW, I meant to ask: Do you speak both Dutch and French, (as well as English, obviously) or just Dutch?
[Blog author: "Thanks! Well, like most of the Dutch speaking majority in Belgium, I was raised in Dutch, the language I speak on a daily basis. But I did get French language classes before I even started high school. It's kind of handy to be bilingual, as South of Brussels (and unfortunately, in +90% of Brussels) Belgians only speak French. English was obligatory in high school, where I additionally picked German and Latin. So yes, I can handle 4 languages."]
Comment by Mr. Nighttime — July 12, 2008 @ 7:14 am |
I have no idea whether or not the Guldernsporenslag is the reason why Dutch is still being spoken in Flanders today, but all I know is that we lost that war with France and lost half of the Flemish territory in the aftermath of the war.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Athis-sur-Orge
Comment by Manictastic — July 12, 2008 @ 10:17 am |
Oh, I forgot to mention that everything behind the river Scheldt (when coming from France) wasn’t part of Flanders then. It was Brabant and formed part of the Holy Roman Empire.
[Blog author: "You're right Manic. If anyone is interested why Belgium (founded 1830) has such a complex history and language divide, please check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium "]
Comment by Manictastic — July 12, 2008 @ 10:20 am |
i’m just going to keep an eye on Claudia and hope for boobs
[Blog author: "you're right on target Van: it's a celebration: we need boobs
"]
Comment by furiousball — July 12, 2008 @ 11:43 pm |
All these great photos! I loved the ones from the cathedral too. Belgium has such a rich and interesting history.
The videos cracked me up. That first one is so very 80s; made me cringe to watch it.
[Blog author: "Thanks Melanie! I only wish you could read the French subtitles: it's kind of funny when a 20 yo song becomes such a 'Belgian' icon. "]
Comment by Granola-grrrl — July 14, 2008 @ 3:47 pm |
[...] June 2nd, but we're back enjoying the chilly Belgian rain. Tempted to fly off to the Med. Happy birthday Belgium!] Comments [...]
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