Belgium - CultureGrams

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CultureGrams
Kids Edition
Kingdom of
2012
Belgium
Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk België
The European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have their headquarters in Brussels.
Cities and towns in Belgium often have two names: one in French and one in Flemish because both languages
are spoken in the country.
German is the third official language as there is a small region in Belgium that was once part of Germany.
Duffel bags get their name from the Belgian town of Duffel, where the thick wool cloth used to make them was
manufactured.
Belgium is world famous for its chocolates and waffles. There are actually two different kinds of Belgian waffle.
The kind most Americans think of is the light, crispy Brussels waffle. But there is also the denser, sweeter Liège
waffle, which is the most common waffle served in Belgium. They have hard clumps of sugar inside them.
The little blue cartoon characters known as Smurfs were created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo.
Belgium produces more than 500 varieties of beer. There is even a Beer Academy and its graduates receive
Masters of Beer degrees.
Antwerp is the diamond center of the world. More than 90 percent of raw diamonds are cut, polished, and
distributed there.
Belgian musician Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1846.
There are more castles per square mile in Belgium than anywhere else in the world.
Flag
Modeled after the flag of France, the flag of Belgium features three vertical bands:
black, yellow, and red. The three colors were taken from the flag of Brabant, which
depicts a yellow lion with a red tongue, climbing a black surface.
National Image
The belfry of Bruges was built in the 13th century, when the city was a center of the
European cloth industry. The 272 foot (83 m) tower housed bells of all tones; some of
them rang to indicate danger, working hours, or the current time. It also held the city
archives and other important documents. Today it stands as a monument, and the
carillon bells serenade the city’s inhabitants.
Land and Climate
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Belgium covers about 11,787 square miles (30,528 sq km) and is just smaller than the
nation of Taiwan and about the same size as the state of Maryland. Bordered by
France in the south and west, Luxembourg in the southeast, Germany in the east, and
the Netherlands in the north, Belgium is almost completely landlocked. A 41-mile (66
km) stretch of coast in the northwest along the North Sea is its only open water access.
Belgium is divided into two major political, linguistic, and geographical regions: Flanders
in the north and Wallonia in the south. The two are joined in the center of the country by
the capital city of Brussels. Flanders is made up of a large plain along the coast of the
North Sea, and altitudes remain quite low, never reaching much more than 150 feet (50
m) above sea level. Just inland from the coast lie the polders, areas of land once
covered by the sea that are now protected by a barrier of sand dunes and natural
seawalls. Wallonia is much hillier, and the Ardennes forest and the Meuse River stretch
across this southern region. The highest point in the nation, Signal de Botrange, is
located here at an elevation of 2,277 feet (694 m). Not as many people live in Wallonia
as in Flanders, where the majority of Belgium’s crops are grown, including sugar beets,
corn, apples, potatoes, and flax. Wallonia is known for its hundreds of grottoes, or
natural caves, that have been hollowed out by water over the years.
The climate in Belgium is mild and damp the majority of the time. Winter temperatures
seldom get below freezing and there is little snow. In the summertime it stays fairly
comfortable, with temperatures averaging between 54 and 72°F (12–22°C).
Population
Belgium has a population of 10.4 million people. The majority of Belgians live in one of the larger cities or towns.
Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent are the three largest cities, with populations around 1,000,000, 500,000, and 250,000
respectively. Residents of Wallonia are known as Walloons and make up just over 30 percent of the total population.
The Flemish, who live in the northern region of Flanders, comprise close to 60 percent of the total population. A small
German-speaking minority lives east of Wallonia near the German border. Belgium is one of the most densely
populated countries in Europe, with 884 people per square mile (341 per sq km). Many other Europeans and North
Africans (particularly Moroccans) have come to Belgium seeking work. As Brussels is home to the European Union and
NATO headquarters, it has a very international flavor and population.
Language
Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch (Flemish), and German. Belgium is
where southern and northern Europe meet. French is spoken by around 40 percent of
the population, primarily in the southern region of Wallonia, though the majority of the
population of Brussels speaks it as well. Until the 1960s, French was considered the
preferred language for business, politics, and education, while Flemish was seen as the
working man’s language. This tension between the two groups led to decades of
conflict, particularly in Brussels. Today both languages have equal status and
government officials are expected to be fluent in both. Flemish is a unique Dutch dialect
and is spoken by around 60 percent of the population, primarily in the northern region of
Flanders. Most Belgians speak several languages and can pinpoint exactly where a
person comes from based on their accent. German is also an official language and is
spoken by a small minority along the German border.
Can You Say It in Flemish?
Hello
Hallo
(HAH-loh)
Good-bye
Totziens
(TOTE ZEENS)
Please
Alstublieft
(ALS-too-bleeft)
Thank you
Dank u
(DONK ooh)
Yes
Ja
(yah)
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No
Religion
Belgium
Nee
(nay)
Seventy-five percent of Belgians identify themselves as Roman Catholic, while the other 25 percent belong to a variety
of other religions including Islam, Protestantism, and Judaism. The government helps pay the salaries of the religious
leaders from each of these groups. Historically, Belgium stayed a Catholic stronghold during the Golden Century in the
Netherlands when Protestantism spread. Today, few Belgians actually attend church regularly, though many parents
still send their children to Catholic schools. Belgians enjoy festivals and celebrations, many of which stem from
traditional Christian holidays such as Carnival or the Ommegang festival held in Brussels every July. The Festival of
Cats, held in Ypres, dates back to the Middle Ages when cats overran the town and were seen as symbols of the devil
and witchcraft. The people of Ypres threw cats off the rooftop of the town hall, and the tradition was repeated every year
until the 19th century, when they began using stuffed toys. Today people dress up in cat costumes and parade
throughout the town.
Time Line
500 BC
500 BC
Celtic tribes settle in the area
100 BC
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The Belgae tribes are overrun by Caesar’s armies, and the land that is
now Belgium becomes a Roman province
AD 1200
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AD 1200-1300
The belfry in the Grote Markt in Bruges is built
1370
Jews are massacred and expelled from Brussels for refusing to be
baptized as Christians
1425
The oldest university in Belgium is founded in Louvain
1536
English translator William Tyndale is burned at the stake at Vilvoorde
Castle for his untraditional translation of the New and Old Testament
1800
1815
British, Belgian, and Prussian troops defeat Napoleon at the Battle of
Waterloo
1830
Belgium declares its independence from the Netherlands
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1839
Belgium
In an effort to be self-sufficient, Trappist monks at St. Sixtus begin
brewing Westvleteren beer in order to finance the construction of a new
monastery
1900
1912
Belgian workers strike, demanding universal suffrage (the right to vote)
1914
World War I begins and Germany invades neutral Belgium; many of the
battles are waged in the trenches around Ypres and the nearby
“Flanders Fields”
1920
Belgium gives up neutrality and forms a military alliance with France
1940
Germany invades Belgium and Holland; the Belgian government
evacuates to London; King Leopold III stays behind and later
surrenders to the Germans
1944
Allied forces liberate Belgium
1951
Prince Baudouin officially becomes king after a crisis leading to the
abdication of King Leopold III
1960
The Belgian government grants independence to the Congo, one of its
colonies
1961
Belgium grants independence to Rwanda and Burundi
1992
Belgium ratifies the Maastricht Treaty, creating the European Union
1993
The constitution is changed to recognize Flanders, Wallonia, and
Brussels as three separate administrative regions; King Baudouin dies
and is succeeded by his brother Albert II
2000
2002
The Belgian franc is replaced by the euro; Belgium legalizes
euthanasia (assisted suicide)
2007
Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt resigns after heavy election losses,
and Belgium is without a government for 100 days until new leadership
is able to take office
2011
Belgium reaches an unprecedented one year without a government, as
political parties are deadlocked; an agreement is eventually reached at
the end of the year
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PRESENT
The Belgae
Around 500 BC, Celtic tribes settled in what is now Belgium. Belgium gets its name
from one of these early tribes, the Belgae, who were a large group known for being
brave warriors. The Belgae fought off Julius Caesar’s Roman soldiers for some time,
and when the Roman Empire did conquer them, they named the area Gallia Belgica
after the Belgae. For the next three hundred years, Gallia Belgica developed into a
prosperous Roman province. A few local governments were allowed to operate, with
everything overseen by a chain of command leading back to the emperor himself.
Around the year AD 300, Gallia Belgica was divided into two separate provinces known
as Belgica Prima and Belgica Secunda. The Meuse River formed the boundary
between them. During the fifth century, the Roman Empire collapsed and several
Germanic tribes, including the Franks, invaded the area. The Franks established a new
kingdom under the leadership of King Clovis I, who brought Christianity to the region.
The Burgundian Golden Age
After the death of Charlemagne in 814, what was once a united province fell apart.
Over time it slowly reformed into four separate regions ruled by dukes or counts.
Eventually the powerful dukes of Burgundy gained control over the seventeen
provinces that made up what are now Belgium and the Netherlands. They ruled for
several decades, and there was much progress and artistic development during the
Burgundian period. Cities such as Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges grew into great centers
of thought and learning, industry, and trade. Philip the Good was the most famous of
the Burgundy dukes. He reigned from 1419 until 1467 and was known for his support of
Flemish artists, his tax law reform, and his capture of Joan of Arc.
Independence
After the death of Philip’s son, Charles the Bold, the land that is now Belgium saw a
series of bloody battles for control. Spain, France, England, and Austria all took turns
vying for power, and Belgium went through several name changes, including the
Spanish Netherlands and the Austrian Netherlands, according to which empire Belgium
belonged to. After Emperor Napoleon’s defeat at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, in what is
now Belgium, the European powers got together at the Congress of Vienna and
reorganized Europe. Belgium was united with the Netherlands under William of
Orange’s leadership. But the people had had enough of foreign rule, and in 1830 a
rebellion broke out against Dutch rule. Belgium declared its independence on 4 October
1830, and the rest of Europe recognized it as its own country the following year. That
same year, Belgians wrote their first Constitution, created a parliament, and chose
Queen Victoria’s uncle Leopold I as their king.
Congolese Colony
Not long after succeeding his father to the Belgian throne in 1865, King Leopold II sent
British explorer Henry Stanley to central Africa to get tribal leaders to sign treaties
saying they would be loyal to the Belgian king. Intent on making Belgium a colonial
power, Leopold established what he called the Congo Free State, and he ran it as if it
were his own private property. The Congo was rich in oil, rubber, and ivory, and the
king was soon wealthy enough to begin turning the Belgian capital of Brussels into a
fashionable, first-rate European city. Many of the Congolese people were enslaved and
forced to work. Eventually the Belgian government took control of the Congo Free State
away from King Leopold. The colony then became known as the Belgian Congo.
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Two World Wars
When World War I broke out Belgium declared its neutrality, but Germany invaded the
country anyway in 1914 on its way to France. Britain had a treaty with Belgium, so the
German invasion brought Britain into the war. When it became clear Belgium could not
defeat Germany’s larger force, the government fled to England while King Albert I
stayed to lead the army. The Belgian forces were able to hold off the Germans long
enough for England and France to muster their troops. Much of the worst fighting in the
first world war occurred in Belgium, particularly in Flanders and the city of Ypres, which
was almost completely destroyed. In 1940, Germany invaded Belgium once more, this
time under Adolf Hitler’s command. This time Belgium was forced to surrender after just
18 days of fighting. Nazi forces occupied the country for five years, imprisoning
thousands of Belgians in a concentration camp in Breedonk. Many Belgians formed an
underground resistance, helping British and American pilots who were shot down over
Belgium. Once more Belgium saw some of the worst fighting, particularly in the
infamous Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes forest. A small U.S. force held off German
troops until Allied forces arrived and forced the Germans out of Belgium.
Belgium Today
After World War II ended, Belgians set about rebuilding their nation. The country
became a founding member of the European Economic Community, which later
became the European Union, and gave up its colonial rule in the Congo. Brussels
became the headquarters of the European Union and has grown into a very
international city, full of the flavors and cultures of many different countries. In response
to growing tension between its language groups, Belgium revised its constitution in
1993, dividing the nation up into the three main regions of Flanders, Wallonia, and
Brussels-Capital. Each region controls its own political, educational, and cultural affairs,
while the national government maintains control over Belgium’s foreign, financial, and
defense issues.
Games and Sports
Cycling is Belgium’s national sport. Belgians are crazy about cycling and the Tour of
Belgium is one of the top events in the professional cycling circuit. The Tour of France
also often runs through Belgium. One of the most famous cyclists of all time, Eddy
Merckx, was Belgian and won the Tour of France five times. Belgians enjoy riding the
hundreds of miles of bike paths throughout the country. Football (soccer) is also very
popular. Every town and village has a team, and children learn to play from a young
age.
Pigeon racing is a sport and pastime unique to Belgium. Originally developed in
Belgium and England, the sport involves releasing specially trained pigeons far from
home and timing how long it takes them to return home. Popular in the countryside and
around Antwerp, many pigeon racers take particular care to breed swift birds, and they
teach the sport to their children and grandchildren.
Holidays
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Christmas comes early in Belgium. On 6 December, children all over the country
celebrate the saint day of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. This marks the first
day of gift giving during the holiday season. Before going to bed the night before,
children set their shoes by the fireplace with some water or wine and a carrot or treat
for St. Nicholas’s donkey. Then St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, comes while they are
sleeping, leaving presents in their shoes. The next day it is traditional to eat speculoos
–thin gingerbread cookies baked with an image from the stories of Sinterklaas stamped
on one side. Many Dutch and Belgian immigrants brought the tradition of Sinterklaas
with them to America, where he is known as Santa Claus. Recently, children have also
started expecting gifts from Father Christmas (Pere Noël/Kerstman) on Christmas day,
while in some regions, children get gifts on New Year’s Day or on Three Kings (6
January). Other important Belgian holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), Labor
Day (1 May), Belgian National Day (21 July), All Saints (1 November), and Armistice
Day (11 November).
Food
Belgians appreciate good quality food in large quantities. Belgium is famous for its
waffles, which are served in sit-down restaurants as well as out of street carts where
many people grab a waffle on the go. The waffles are often topped with powdered
sugar, glaze, or ice cream and fruit. Another food commonly sold by street vendors is
frites, or French fries, which are fried twice to cook the inside and then make the
outside nice and crispy. It is widely accepted that the Belgians (and not the French)
invented the French fry. Belgians love their fries and often dip them in mayonnaise.
Belgians are also famous for their chocolates (pralines, truffles) which have a high
percentage of cocoa and are often prepared with creams and butter. Families often
gather together for breakfast and dinner, while lunch is usually just a quick sandwich or
snack. Breakfasts are light and consist of rolls, pastries, or bread with butter and jam.
Dinner is the main meal of the day and is often a simple, hearty dish involving potatoes
and meat or pasta.
Schools
In Belgium, school is free and required for all children from ages six to eighteen. Children usually start kindergarten at
the age of three and some attend preschool even earlier. Elementary school begins at age six and continues through
age twelve, when students move on to secondary school. In secondary school they are allowed a choice of subjects to
study, and those who complete their six years there can move on to university if they choose. Those who do not go on
to university may choose to attend a vocational school, where they learn a specific trade or skill before joining the
workforce. Most schools are run by either the government or the Catholic Church. Each school has its own reputation
and educational style and parents often struggle to get their children into schools that are most suitable for their
children. Secondary school students are expected to study at least three languages, with English being the main
choice after French and Dutch.
Life as a Kid
Families are quite close in Belgium, and many kids grow up spending summer holidays
and other big events with their cousins at their grandparents’ home. Scouts are quite
popular and Sundays are often spent on scouting activities. Secondary school can be
quite demanding, with large amounts of homework and stressful exam periods (it is not
uncommon for students to fail at least one grade in school). They are taught in school
to remember information and process facts more than to analyze and question matters
(participation in classrooms is not encouraged). Most teenagers are multilingual and
enjoy speaking English (the language of most of their favorite music, movies, and
television programs from the U.S. and U.K.). Like other western kids, most Belgian kids
have mobile phones (they text message more than call) and computers. Facebook is
the most common social media tool. As Belgium is a small country, Belgian kids travel a
lot to other countries on class trips or on holidays with friends and families and are open
to other ways of living. Belgians are allowed to drink alcohol in bars from the age of 16,
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and there are many nightclubs that cater to teenagers. Drugs are less of a problem
outside of poorer regions and peer pressure to smoke today is diminishing. The driving
age is 18, although they can drive scooters, mopeds, and small motorbikes at 16, but
most kids do not drive until they need a car for work as it is very expensive in Belgium
and public transportation is very good.
Government
Monarch: King Albert II
Prime Minister: Elio Di Rupo
Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. This means there is a king who shares
executive control with the prime minister. The king is more of a figurehead leader, while the prime minister and
parliament handle the day-to-day affairs of the country. The prime minister is usually the leader of the majority party
after elections and is formally appointed by the monarch. The legislative branch is divided into two houses: the Senate,
with 71 members, and the Chamber of Deputies, with 150 members. Elections for both houses are held every four
years. The monarch’s children are allowed to be extra senators once they are over 18 years of age. Belgium also has a
level of regional government, divided equally between Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital. Each region elects its
own parliament and minister-president. All citizens 18 and older have the right to vote and are required to do so by law.
There are also provincial and local council governments. In Brussels it is often said that one in ten people work for the
government.
Money and Economy
Belgium is a small but productive country that exports most of its products. Therefore it
is easily influenced for good or bad by the international market and economy. Belgium
produces a wide range of products ranging from cars and chemicals to prescription
drugs, glass, and plastics. It is also known for its high quality chocolates and beer. The
majority of industrial operations are located in Flanders so as to be close to the coastal
harbors and trade routes. Antwerp is known as one of the busiest and most efficient
ports in the world. It is also the diamond capital of the world. For many years, Belgium
was heavily into nuclear power; however the country is now focusing on decreasing that
emphasis and developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Though agriculture has seen a decline, there are still a few family-owned farms left in
the country. They produce major crops such as potatoes, wheat, and sugar beets. The
Belgian currency was the Belgian franc until 2002, when it was replaced by the euro.
Getting Around
Belgium is home to one of the best railway systems in the world. The more than 2,300
miles (3,701 km) of track is operated by the government, and travelers are able to
board high speed trains and quickly be in one of any number of European cities. The
country also has more than 900 miles (1,448 km) of canals, and the city of Liège is one
of Europe’s largest river ports. The 80-mile (120-km) long Albert Canal links Liège with
Antwerp and can handle barges weighing as much as 2,000 tons. Most people own
cars, but buses and streetcars are also available. As cycling is so popular in Belgium,
many people own bicycles for getting around on their own.
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Carnival
The Catholic roots in Belgium run deep, and this can be seen in the celebrations
around Carnival time (Mardi Gras, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, or 40 days
before Easter). The schools are always on holiday during this time and many towns
prepare large parades and activities. The most famous is the Carnival of Binche, in
Wallonia, which dates back to the 14th century. The Gilles of Binche, a society of 1,000
performers, strictly preserve a tradition that has been handed down for generations.
The Gilles dress in elaborate costumes of linen shirts stuffed with straw and topped with
lace collars. They also wear bells on their belts, wooden shoes, wax masks, and green
glasses. In the morning the Gilles gather for a champagne and oyster breakfast,
followed by dancing at the town hall. In the afternoon they parade through the
cobblestone streets in ostrich-feather hats, throwing blood oranges at onlookers.
Carnival societies are elected before the winter and prepare music and festivities
months before. Other cities with large parades include Aalst, in Flanders, and Malmedy,
near the German border. It is not uncommon for people to work on their costumes and
floats for months beforehand.
Learn More
Contact the Embassy of Belgium, 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC, 20008; phone (202) 333-6900; web site
www.diplobel.us; or the Belgian Tourist Office, phone (212) 758-8130; web site www.visitbelgium.com.
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