#walloon region

[gentlemanpixelator]

Houx. Les ruines de Poilvache.

[wgm-beautiful-world]

Château Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, BELGIUM

[travelella]

Villers Abbey,Rue de l'Abbaye, Villers-la-Ville, Walloon Brabant Province, Wallonia Region, Belgium

Thomas Bormans

[urbanrelics]

HAUT FOURNEAU 4

I adore visiting blast furnaces. They are the most spectacular sights I've ever got to witness. The intricacy of the engineering is quite simply astonishing. This particular specimen in Belgium, which has been under close surveilance since it was shut down in 2008, has been preserved in a remarkably good condition. Almost immediately after the closure, an interest group was established that wanted to preserve the blast furnace as an industrial landmark.

This blast furnace company, which is a defining feature of the city of Charleroi, was founded in 1836, during the heyday of the European steel industry. Like all other steel companies in the region, this blast furnace was also the subject of numerous takeovers and mergers. These mainly took place in the 1960s and 70s. It always remained a flourishing company, competitive on a global scale. However, the takeover by the Duferco group in 2001 heralded the beginning of the end…

The site was then operated under the name Carsid. After a fire in 2007, the furnace was temporarily shut down to carry out the necessary repairs. At the same time, capacity was increased and a number of environmental investments were made. The installation would now be operational for another ten years. Barely a year later, the blast furnace was shut down again, due to “poor prospects”. Due to the economic crisis and the declining demand for steel, the operation of the blast furnace company was no longer deemed profitable.

A “temporary” closure and the search for a buyer should bring relief. After more than three years of uncertainty and economic unemployment, the curtain finally fell for the blast furnace. Since HF4 is one of the best preserved blast furnaces in Europe, the Walloon government is striving to preserve the furnace as industrial heritage. Although a ministerial decree has been published to this effect, the demolition work on the site is progressing steadily…

Unfortunately Charleroi is one of the poorest cities in Belgium. There is no budget for the necessary sanitation and preservation works, which would run in the millions of euros. The futures is looking bleak for this beautiful piece of industrial heritage...

[sayruq]

Wallonia has issued a ban on the transit of all arms from its territory towards Israel, the region's Minister-President Elio Di Rupo (PS) confirmed to Le Soir. The decision followed an investigation by Belgium's francophone national news channel RTBF, as well as Le Soir and De Morgen, which revealed that 70 tonnes of munitions and explosives had transited via Liège airport to Israel since Hamas attack on 7 October. This was despite a commitment made in February by the Walloon government to prevent lethal weapons from passing via the region to the Jewish State. The media investigation revealed that a legal loophole had allowed arms transit to continue, with the military material sent from New York and stopping in Liège en route to Tel Aviv. Shipments were handled by Challenge Airlines, an airfreight logistics company which operates predominantly via transit hubs in Israel, Malta, and Belgium. The company's CEO, Yossi Shoukroun, is himself an Israeli national.Commenting on the details of the cargo, Wies De Graeve of Amnesty International in Flanders confirmed that the material was "military equipment from the US passing via the Israeli-American airfreight company Challenge". The airline was able to exploit a legal blind spot by transiting via Liège without transferring goods between aircraft. Until now, planes did not require a licence to make a short stop in Wallonia airports providing that cargoes were not moved from the aircraft. But on Monday, Di Rupo's office signed a ministerial decree forbidding all transit of arms towards Israel, regardless of whether the cargo leaves the aircraft or not.

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Deep dives into folklore: Belgian folklore

Belgium, nestled in the heart of Europe, boasts a cultural landscape steeped in folklore and mythology that has thrived across centuries. This exploration delves into the captivating narratives and enduring traditions that have shaped Belgian folklore, illuminating the cultural tapestry of this diverse and enchanting region.

Belgian folklore is adorned with a diverse array of mythical creatures, each adding its own hue to the cultural canvas. From the water-dwelling Nixen to the forest-dwelling Wild Huntsman, these fantastical beings embody the collective imagination of the Belgian people, woven into the fabric of their storytelling traditions.

In the southern Walloon region, folklore weaves tales of the Géants, colossal figures parading through festivals, representing both mythical and historical elements. The Géants embody a living mythology, embodying the resilience and spirit of the communities they traverse, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural identity of the Walloons.

Flemish folklore is colored by traditions that celebrate the cyclical nature of life, from the lively Kattenstoet (Cat Parade) in Ypres to the whimsical Carnaval de Binche. Amidst these festivities, the figure of the 'Huisgod,' or house spirit, stands as a guardian and symbol of domestic harmony, reflecting the importance of familial ties in Flemish culture.

Belgium's folklore is haunted by spectral entities, such as the Kludde and Lange Wapper, whose eerie tales resonate across generations. These ghostly apparitions, born from the depths of Belgian imagination, serve as cautionary figures, embodying the moral compass of a society navigating the boundaries between right and wrong.

Belgium's rich history has given rise to mythic tales surrounding ancient landmarks, such as the dolmens of the Ardennes. These megalithic structures, wrapped in the cloak of legend, connect the present to the distant past, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Belgian folklore in shaping perceptions of the land itself.

While rooted in tradition, Belgian folklore continues to adapt, finding new expression in contemporary culture. From literature to cinema, modern storytellers draw inspiration from ancient myths, breathing new life into the timeless narratives that have defined the Belgian cultural narrative.

In the realm of Belgian folklore and mythology, the tales, creatures, and traditions form an intricate web, binding communities and generations together. The colorful threads of these narratives, woven into the cultural fabric, transcend time, offering a glimpse into the collective imagination of a nation that cherishes its mythical past while embracing the ever-evolving stories that shape its cultural identity. The richness of Belgian folklore stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, echoing through the ages and resonating in the hearts of those who continue to unravel its captivating threads.

[soon-palestine]

@CIJ_ICJ #genocide order in action: Walloon regional government (🇧🇪) suspends 2 arms export licences to #Israel, explicitly referring to ICJ case, and after pressure by NGOs.

👏👏 Great work by @amnestyvl , @amnestybe , @Vredesactie and @CNAPD

[thoughtlessarse]

Wallonia has issued a ban on the transit of all arms from its territory towards Israel, the region's Minister-President Elio Di Rupo (PS) confirmed to Le Soir. The decision followed an investigation by Belgium's francophone national news channel RTBF, as well as Le Soir and De Morgen, which revealed that 70 tonnes of munitions and explosives had transited via Liège airport to Israel since Hamas attack on 7 October. This was despite a commitment made in February by the Walloon government to prevent lethal weapons from passing via the region to the Jewish State. The media investigation revealed that a legal loophole had allowed arms transit to continue, with the military material sent from New York and stopping in Liège en route to Tel Aviv. Shipments were handled by Challenge Airlines, an airfreight logistics company which operates predominantly via transit hubs in Israel, Malta, and Belgium. The company's CEO, Yossi Shoukroun, is himself an Israeli national.

continue reading

[catdotjpeg]

70th day of one-person relay protest in front of the Israeli Embassy! Thank you for your hard work today at Platform C. On October 23 last year, the Belgian Transport Workers' Union issued instructions to its members to refuse to unload military supplies destined for Israel. Following this, yesterday, the Belgian Walloon regional government withheld two permits for arms exports to Israel.

-- 팔레스타인평화연대 - BDS Korea, 7 Feb 2024  

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 9.18

Holidays

Aging Awareness Day

Astronomy Day (Armenia)

Big Brothers Big Sisters Day (Canada)

Celebrate Your Name Day

Celebration of Talent (French Republic)

Chiropractic Founders Day

Clemente Day

Day of National Music (Azerbaijan)

Deceased Motorcyclists Remembrance Day (Ukraine)

Dieciocho (Chile)

Eleven Days of Global Unity, Day 8: Human Rights

European Heritage Days (EU)

Feast Day of the Walloon Region (Belgium)

Festival of Inner Worlds

Festival of Labour (French Republic)

Fiesta Patrias (Chile)

First Love Day

Global Company Culture Day

Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day

International Equal Pay Day (UN)

International Pitt Hopkins Awareness Day

International Read an eBook Day

Island Language Day (Okinawa, Japan)

Jeannie in a Bottle Day

Jitiya Parwa (Only Women Employees; Nepal)

Jonny Quest Day

Long Playing Record Day

Mickey Mantle Day (New York)

Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday (Taiwan)

Mountain Meadows Massacre Anniversary Day (by Mormon Church Members; Utah)

Mukden Incident Anniversary Day

National Cannabis Day (Germany)

National Ceiling Fan Day

National Colton Day

National Day of Civic Hacking

National Fitness Day (UK)

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

National Museum Day [also 5.18]

National Music Day (Azerbaijan)

National Play-Dough Day

National Rehabilitation Day

National Report Kickback Fraud Day

National Respect! Day

National Science Reading Day

National Tree Day (Canada)

Navy Day (Croatia)

New York Times Day

918 Day (Oklahoma)

Persian Literature and Pony Day (Iran)

PCOS Awareness Day

Scouring of the White Horse (Wantage, Berkshire, UK)

Shima-kutuba Day (Japan; Okinawa)

Top Ten List Day

U.S. Air Force Day

Victory of Uprona (Burgundy)

Vulver Awareness Day

World Bamboo Day

World Knot Tying Day

World Medical Ethics Day

World Water Monitoring Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Brett Day

National Cheeseburger Day

National Chocolate Day

Rice Krispies Treats Day

Independence & Related Days

Buddie Union (Declared; 2015) [unrecognized]

Chile (a.k.a. Dieciocho, 1st Gov't Junta, 1818)

Free Republic of Silbervia (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

3rd Wednesday in September

Banned Websites Awareness Day [3rd Wednesday]

Ember Day (Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches) [Wednesday after 9.14]

Human Resource Manager Day [3rd Wednesday]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

Mouth Cancer Awareness Day (Ireland) [3rd Wednesday]

National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Rehabilitation Day [3rd Wednesday]

National School Backpack Awareness Day [3rd Wednesday]

Quarter Tense (Ireland) [Wednesday after 9.14]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Wandering Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Wiener Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning September 18 (3rd Full Week of September)

Wear Cotton Week (thru 9.25)

Festivals Beginning September 18, 2024

Eurofurence (Hamburg, Germany) [thru 9.21]

Festival du Film Merveilleux et Imaginaire (Paris, France) [thru 9.20]

Lost Lands (Thornville, Ohio) [thru 9.22]

National Cattle Congress (Waterloo, Iowa) [thru 9.22]

Walnut Valley Festival (Winfield, Kansas) [thru 9.22]

Feast Days

Amoeba Assimilation Day (Pastafarian)

Anton Mauve (Artology)

Arcadius, Bishop of Novgorod (Christian; Saint)

Ariadne of Phrygia (Christian; Martyr)

Bidzin, Elizbar, and Shalva, Princes of Georgia (Christian; Martyrs)

Cassius Marcellus Coolidge (Artology)

Castor of Alexandria (Christian; Martyr)

Constantius (Theban Legion)

Ear Wig Fitting Day (Shamanism)

Edward Bouverie Pusey (Episcopal Church)

Eleusinian Mysteries begin (Ancient Rome; Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Eugene’s, Bishop of Gortyna (Christian; Saint)

Eustorgius I (Christian; Saint)

Ferreol (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Ceres (Roman Goddess of Agriculture & Grain Crops)

Festival of Labour (French Republic)

Foundation Day (Unification Church)

Hilarion of Optima (Christian; Saint)

Joe Kubert (Artology)

John Harvey Kellogg Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

José de Rivera (Artology)

Joseph of Cupertino (Christian; Martyr)

Juan Macias (Christian; Saint)

Konstantin Kakanias (Artology)

Leonardo da Crunchy (Muppetism)

Lord Berners (Artology)

Lynn Abbey (Writerism)

Mark di Suvero (Artology)

Methodius of Olympus (Christian; Saint)

Plataia (Ancient Greece)

Richardis (Christian; Saint)

Rosmerta (Celtic Book of Days)

Samuel Johnson (Writerism)

Scouring the White Horse begins (Everyday Wicca)

Sophia and Irene of Egypt (Christian; Martyrs)

Third Nostril of Christ Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Thomas of Villanova (Christian; Saint)

Tzom Gedaliah (Fast of Gedalia; Judaism)

Vanaheim Day (Pagan)

Vondel (Positivist; Saint)

Zay Day (Sus God Zay) [Wear red or purple hoodies]

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chong Chao (Macau)

Chusok (South Korea)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [38 of 53]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [31 of 37]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [24 of 30]

Unlucky 18th (Philippines) [3 of 3]

Premieres

Abacab, by Genesis (Album; 1981)

Abou Ben Boogie (Swing Symphony Cartoon; 1944)

The Addams Family (TV Series; 1964)

Birthday, recorded by The Beatles (Song; 1967)

A Bully Frog (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Film; 1958)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Animated Film; 2009)

Continental Divide (Film; 1981)

Crazytown (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1959)

The Day the Earth Stood Still (Film; 1951)

Dog Daze (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Enough Said (Film; 2013)

The Farm of Tomorrow (MGM Cartoon; 1954)

Fatal Attraction (Film; 1987)

Five and Dime (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1933)

The French Lieutenant’s Woman (Film; 1981)

Funny Girl (Film; 1968)

Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss (Albums; 1978)

Get Smart (TV Series; 1965)

Goldfinger premiered in UK (1964) [James Bond #3]

Goo Goo Goliath (WB MM Cartoon; 1954)

The Gullible Canary (Phantasies Cartoon; 1942)

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1959)

Heartache Tonight, by The Eagles (Song; 1979)

I Likes Babies and Infanks (Fleischer Cartoon Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak (Children’s Book; 1970)

The Japoteurs (Fleischer Cartoon; 1942) [#10]

Jennifer’s Body (Film; 2009)

Jonny Quest (Animated TV Series; 1964)

Making Money, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2007) [Discworld #36]

Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin (Song; 1899)

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Film; 2015)

The Moffatt Translation of the Bible (Bible; 1922)

More Than a Feeling,, by Boston (Song; 1976)

New York Times (Daily Newspaper; 1851)

Old Rockin’ Chair Tom (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1948)

Pain Strikes Underdog, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 1 & 2 1965)

Pink in the Clink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

The Road to Ruin or Mine Over Matter (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 55; 1960)

Rockin’ with Judy Jetson (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Movie; 1988)

Rush Hour (Film; 1998)

School Daze (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner (Novel; 2010) [Maze Runner #2]

Serve It Forth (Art of Eating), by M.F.K. Fisher (Food Essays; 1937)

Severed Relations or How to Get a Head (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 161; 1962)

Sicario (Film; 2015)

Singles (Film; 1992)

Smiley Smile, by The Beach Boys (Album; 1967)

Strange Little Girl, by Tori Amos (Album; 2001)

A Streetcar Named Desire (Film; 1951)

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (TV Series; 2006)

Superman: Doomsday (WB Animated Film; 2007)

That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles or Me and My Chateau (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 162; 1962)

Tired and Feathered (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

Two Flying Ghosts or High Spirits (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 56; 1960)

Wagon Train (TV Series; 1957)

War Pigs, by Black Sabbath (Song; 1970)

Where’s Wally, by Martin Hanford (Puzzle Book; 1987)

WKRP in Cincinnati (TV Series; 1978)

Today’s Name Days

Herlinda, Josef, Lambert, Rica (Austria)

Alfonz, Irena, Jonatan, Josip, Sonja (Croatia)

Kryštof, Oskar (Czech Republic)

Titus (Denmark)

Tiido, Tiidrik, Tiidu, Tiit (Estonia)

Tytti, Tyyne, Tyyni (Finland)

Nadège, Véra (France)

Alfons, Herlinde, Lambert, Rica (Germany)

Ariadne, Ariadni, Evmenis, Kastor, Romylos (Greece)

Diána (Hungary)

Eumenio, Giuseppe, Maria, Sofia (Italy)

Alinta, Elita, Gizela, Liesma (Latvia)

Galmantė, Mingailas, Stefa, Stefanija (Lithuania)

Henriette, Henry (Norway)

Dobrowit, Irena, Irma, Józef, Ryszarda, Stefania, Tytus, Zachariasz (Poland)

Eumenie (Romania)

Elizaveta, Raisa (Russia)

Eugénia (Slovakia)

José, Sofía, Sonia (Spain)

Orvar (Sweden)

Irene (Ukraine)

Clint, Clinton, Corbin, Corwin, Corwyn, Korbin, Korvin (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 262 of 2024; 104 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 38 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Muin (Vine) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 8 (Guy-You), Day 16 (Yi-You)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 15 Elul 5784

Islamic: 14 Rabi I 1446

J Cal: 22 Gold; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 5 September 2024

Moon: 99%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 10 Shakespeare (10th Month) [Racine]

Runic Half Month: Ken (Illumination) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 91 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of September

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 28 of 32)

[beardedmrbean]

After the Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (nationalist) called on farmers to lift their remaining blockades in Flanders on Thursday evening following the agreement reached between their representatives and the Flemish Government, the farmers that had been blocking access to the Port of Ghent returned home on Friday morning.

The North Sea Port, of which Ghent is a part reports that all the farmers’ blockades have been lifted. Zelzate Bridge, where a dozen tractors had been parked, preventing the bridge from being lifted to allow ships to pass has been cleared. Meanwhile, Walloon farmers are continuing their action with blockades in Liège Province.

Flemish farmers started blocking roads in East and West Flanders on Thursday morning. The so-called “filter blockades”, whereby cars and bicycles were allowed to pass, but lorries bound for the Port of Ghent were only allowed through occasionally and often after a long wait were designed to put pressure on the Flemish Government during the talks with farmers’ representatives that took place on Thursday.

The blockades not only caused disruption to shipping, but also resulted in long tailbacks on the Ghent orbital motorway. 

Early on Friday morning, the farmers that had been blocking the roundabouts near the Euro-Silo site and ArcelorMittal plant had already left. Later their colleagues at the port of Ghent also lifted their blockades. 

Farmers' blockades in Wallonia

While an agreement has been reached between the farmers and the regional government in Flanders, this is not the case in Wallonia. On Friday Walloon farmers resumed their protest action at various locations in the Liège Province. Filter blockades were set up on the E40 motorway at Loncin and near Welkenraedt.

At Ciney in Namur Province around 30 members of the Federation of Young Farmers (FJA) took action to raise awareness of their concerns outside the Ciney Cattle Auction. The protesters allowed most of the lorries carrying livestock to enter but slowed down their exit.

[ifreakingloveroyals]

Through the Years → Queen Mathilde of Belgium (1,332/∞)

8 November 2022 | Queen Mathilde will be turning 50 on 20 January 2023 and wants to use this occasion to spread a positive message about mental wellbeing in our country. Under the motto 'Let's move forward together for mental wellbeing', Queen Mathilde is carrying out a series of walking and cycling tours with people and organisations that are involved in the field of mental wellbeing. The 9th tour takes place in the region of Tubize and Nivelles in the province of Walloon Brabant. The Queen will cycle 22 km with the patients and staff of the Institut médicopédagogique (IMP) le Colombier in Nivelles. Cyclists from Respect Seniors will also be taking part in Ittre & Nivelles, Belgium. (Photo by Didier Lebrun / Photonews via Getty Images)

[wgm-beautiful-world]

D i n a n t

[travelella]

Lillois-Witterzée, Braine-l'Alleud Municipality, Walloon Brabant Province, Wallonia Region, Belgium

Benoit Debaix

[doueverwonder]

My Dad Was Unfortunately Stuck In The Car With Me For 45 Min

a bullet point story of me infodumping;

My Dad and I are in the car, we have 45 min til home

he innocently asks me what I'm watching on Netflix

I tell him I'm rewatching Norsemen and am probably gonna rewatch barbarians next

he says 'we watched some of Barbarians together right? You really liked that show'

I tell him that the first season was great but the second was kinda disappointing

eventually I have to explain the battle of Teutoburg bc he doesn't know the full story

this is where it gets fun

two sentences into talking about Teutoburg I get off topic

I am now giving him a full history of the Cimbrian war

I finish that and get back to Tuetoburg

I get off topic again and am now telling him about how there were three Germania's (Superior, Inferior, Magna)

I get farther off topic and explain the origin of the word Scandinavia

I find 'danger island' is a lot funnier than he does.

I end up talking about the Geats somehow,

I follow that to talking about the Visigoths

Then the Suebi

Then the Franks

I somehow get to 'Rome's big mistake was outsourcing their army too much :\'

I Finally Get To Finishing Teutoburg

"y'know the word for Germania and therefor Germany probably came from a Celtic word that meant neighbors which is probably what the Celts called the germanic tribes. However, places like the Walloon Region and Wales got their names from a Germanic word that meant stranger or foreigner. Can you imagine being like "oh yea, that's my neighbor!" and their response is to call you a stranger? wouldn't that be weird? I mean, wasn't that kinda rude on the Germanics part?"

Talks about Belgium

Return of The Franks: The Invasion of Gaul.

the Frankish ivasion of Gaul makes me think of the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain.

I talk about the Anglo-Saxons.

The anglo-saxons make me think of the vikings

The Return to Scandinavia.

Specifically to Sweden

We get home as I'm halfway through a ramble about the destruction of the temple at Uppsala.

[emmashouldbewriting]

I’m the Belgian anon. I’m an immigrant (moved to Belgium while I was still a child tho) so maybe I have a different vision than other people. But Belgium is a divided country and not in the way people think the US is divided.

Belgium while small has a language border. In the north you have the Flemish who speak Dutch and in the south you have the Walloon who speak French. There’s very little holding the country together, each federal election it takes longer and longer to form a government and that’s because the north tends to vote more right wing (the northern part is also significantly richer) and the south tends to vote more left wing. Moreover the two largest parties by votes in the country are Flemish parties who favour a republic and an independent flanders. The south doesn’t really want to split but it doesn’t exactly get along with the nort. Since belgiums inception the French speaking part have oppressed the Dutch speaking (who make up the majority of the country), you didn’t have any higher education in Dutch, Flemish people were sentenced for crimes they couldn’t even understand as all judiciary was in French even if the court was situated in the Dutch speaking part. Brussels was originally Dutch speaking but over the decades it became French. There’s as a result a lot of resentment. Belgium didn’t even have the constitution in dutch until the late 70s despite the fact 60% speak dutch in the country. Since the 60’s there have been a lot of constitutional amendments (which were brought about by Flemish protest) that transformed the country from a unitary state to a federal state. Now the Royal Family is seen as Belgian when a lot of people don’t feel Belgian but identity more with their region. Also the RF speak French, queen fabiola barely spoke a word Dutch despite being the queen of a country where 60% speak that language. The current king and queen did send their kids to Dutch speaking schools which was a first (I think). But there’s not much connection with the rf.

We don’t have really a lot of pomp and ceremony (not in the way the British do, which I btw love 😂). So they aren’t really visible and yet seem to be taking a lot of money (which they totally are). We don’t have a soverings grant or anything, the government pays for the palaces and transport and the like but they also get a lump sum of money that’s considered a ‘salary’. In 2019 the king got around 13M€ of taxpayer money and the former king and queen and the siblings of the current king also receive a salary. So It’s like if Edward and Anne got salaries aside from their expenses (for representing the monarchy). The current king’s brother is also an absolute asshole. He once showed up in military uniform in a Chinese embassy party without the government approval, his salary as a result was lessend that asshole went and complained how his human rights were being violated. He actually went to European court of human rights!! And that’s not all he made several political moves with countries that were violating some serious human rights. He also was making shady deals (sounds familiar doesn’t it).

There’s also the whole mess with Albert II. He and his wife, Paola were estranged for a while. He had affairs and Delphine was born. He didn’t abandon her but playe daddy for a good number of years before his marriage rehabilitated and he completly refused to acknowledge her. She had to sue him and he wouldn’t recognise even then.

To me the royal family doesn’t do anything important for the country except leech of taxpayers. The majority in the north actually prefer to abolish the monarchy, we don’t really have a class system as in the UK so the idea of the monarchy seems just outdated. Also the king does have some influence in politics which is why I dislike it even more.

Most people are just kinda apathetic towards the monarchy. There aren’t really fervent monarchist in the way there are in the UK. Lol the people who show up at the mall every year for TTC wouldn’t happen in Belgium.

I read this when it was sent in and meant to post it yesterday but erdemgate happened, so y'know LOL

thank you so much, belgian anon! this was really interesting, and lines up with a couple of belgians i know who are quite apathetic about the royals there. i only really know princess elisabeth but that's just because she turned 18, and i doubt i'd know she existed if i wasn't here. i knew there were two languages but didn't realise there was such a divide politically, and i'm going to deep dive into this!!

i understand to an extent, wales is very divided between the north and south for political reasons (there's even two variations of welsh, but most people don't notice it) and we in the north often joke about breaking off and joining england lol