Funniest ping-pong match ever!

Being a small country, Belgium is not very famous for its sports player abroad, except maybe in tennis where Kim Clijsters (a Flemish sportswoman) and Justine Henin (a Walloon one) did great scores. However, we can find a nice example of how Belgians can express their quirkiness and humour in their everyday life, including a ping-pong match!

Here's a video of probably the funniest match ever. It was played by Belgian player Jean-Michel Saive and Chinese player C.Y. Chuang. The audience as well as the commentator can't refrain from laughing constantly at their jokes. It actually doesn't look like a competition, but a big comedy. Enjoy!



If you have any other funny sports anecdote or video, don't hesitate to post a comment!

First Flemish TV-show entirely in English

Today I came across a TV-show that really reflects Flemish pride and proficiency in English. The project I'm going to talk about is quite similar to this blog, but it only focuses on Flanders, rather than the whole country.

In September 2012, the Flemish public broadcaster VRT decided to create a TV-show intended for expats in Flanders. Being aware that not that many expats could speak Dutch, they created for the first time in history a TV-show entirely in English (with subtitles in both Dutch and English).

Fans of Flanders is a weekly programme with presenters who all speak an excellent English. The goal is to make people (expats or Belgian people themselves) learn more about Flanders and the most quirky things going on in there. The show focuses on Flanders but also includes Brussels, although the city has a majority of French speakers, because it is often the place expats choose to settle in and probably also because the VRT premises are located in Brussels. The French-speaking community is left out for once.

The programme mainly describes how quirky Flemish people can be, but also tells you about interesting places to visit and provides interviews of expats on what they think of Flanders (in the sequence 'Expat of the week'). All of this is made with a lot of (Flemish!) humour and may also depict the weirdest sides of the region (e.g. the irrationality of the garbage bag system). Also, typical Flemish expressions and words are presented by a journalist.

Actually, Fans of Flanders is primarily a website with 'funny' videos and all the content is first published on the internet before being broadcasted as a full-shaped TV-show. The VRT makes use of social networks, polls and blogs a lot. As a less recent project, the same broadcaster launched a Flemish online magazine all in English called Flandersnews.be.

Hopefully one day the French-speaking community will do the same... or the same will be done to introduce the whole country to the world...

Spread the word!

French-speakers dismiss their local cinema

A rough but moving humour, surrealism and royalty, those are some features that probably build Belgian culture and may be reflected in the national cinema. Yet, if you don't know about it, you will have a hard time trying to find common features between all films produced in this country. This intricacy is due to a cultural difference between Flemish and French-speakers, once again! In fact, each linguistic community's vision of itself is reflected on how they make and watch films.

Flemish people tend to watch less often Dutch channels, favouring their own Flemish ones, which promote local films and make them proud of their community. An example of the way Flemish film-makers tell the world about their own history is 1992 film Daens, which deals with the misery side of Flanders during industrialisation time and the hand given by local bishop Daens, who created the Christian Socialist party.

Also, Flemish film-makers try to make films that can be easily exported. As a consequence, their cinema seems to be closer to English-language cinema and American remakes of them often come as a reward for their success. An example is Ben X (2007), in which a bullied teenager tries to escape real life through online games. Other significant Flemish films include The Misfortunates (2009), which is about drugs, crimes and... riding a bike naked(!), and Bullhead (2011), which deals with a Limburg farm and a murder case...

In comparison, French-speakers in Belgium identify themselves to their country as a whole and less often to their linguistic community. French-language Belgian films lack means and money, and are less valorised. Being often documentaries or auteur films with a social side, they appear less "exotic" to Belgians (but maybe culturally enriching to foreigners). Some were made by the Dardenne brothers and received awards (e.g. The Child), but they may be depressing because they show the 'sad' side of Belgium.

Very clearly, over Belgian TV-channels people prefer French ones, which only promote French films. Yet, it is often the case that Belgian actors play in French films or that these films are co-produced by Belgium and shot in this country, for instance Nothing to Declare (2010), a comedy about a French and a Belgian custom man having a fight.

It is not true, however, that French-language Belgian films cannot leave their mark on the history of cinema. For example, an alien, Man Bites Dog (1992) is a disturbing comedy shot as a fake documentary depicting a serial killer who explains the art of killing people. Another one, The Eighth Day (1996) has as main character a man with Down's syndrome (some people may find similarities with Forest Gump...).

Now I suggest you go to the DVD store and order some nice Belgian film!

Belgian Sundays need a sparkle!

If you rent a room or a flat alone in a Belgian city, you will notice that most young people go back home in the weekend, because they have their weekend off, leaving the cities in an unusual stillness. Especially in the winter, lonely weekends in Belgium can be boring, or even depressing, because it's the time Belgian guys chill out or meet relatives. Saturday is crowded in most places though, because shops are still open and people rush to buy things they can't buy during the week. Yet, don't be mistaken and go out for shopping the wrong day, because all shops are usually closed on Sunday. As a result, most Belgian cities become deserted dull places that day, where almost the only people you'll meet down the streets are beggars. As a general advice for those who live in Belgium: if you don't want to starve on Sunday, always do your grocery shopping before!

First world problem in Belgium.

In other European countries, including England, shops are free open the day they want, which is not the case in Belgium. During the week, shops usually stay open until 6pm, except in some commercial centers (and in night shops, which are open from 6pm to 7am), but they can't open on Sunday, because they have to keep a weekly rest day. The only time they can open on Sunday is six times a year, usually before Christmas or the first day of sales. Also, it is possible for shops to open on Sunday morning if they stay closed the morning after, or even to choose another weekly rest day (but I don't really know any shop that does it). As a consequence, some people take the train and go shopping in, for instance, the Netherlands, where this law doesn't apply (e.g. people in the Walloon province of Liège often go shopping in the bordering city of Maastricht on Sunday).

A whole debate now takes place in France about the opening of shops on Sunday, and the issue is often discussed in Belgium without making any change. Some say that opening shops on Sunday would lead to an increase in sale and in the number of job opportunities. Others, including representatives of small shops, are against the idea, because they demand a day-off every week for their private life and believe large retailers would take advantage of such regulation by attracting more people on Sunday and reduce the turnover of smaller shops.

Yet, Belgian law leaves possibility for shops to stay open without restriction on Sunday in so-called 'touristic zones' (mostly city centers). In practice, the shops in most cities refuse to remain open on Sunday for the reasons I cited. The idea is still in discussion with representatives of some shops. The other effort made by municipalities in Belgium is to try making locals go outside anyway. This means making the city life more interesting in the weekend by organising leasure activities, such as plays, concerts, films or expositions... This should be a way to bring a little sparkle to our Belgian cities on Sunday, the day of sun, not that of the dark...

Don't hesitate to share this post and comment it! The debate goes on...

Waffles for New Year's Eve

In the whole world, waffles are commonly associated with Belgium. Sometimes it's the only thing people remember about that country, which is unfortunate. However, we are still proud of our national pastry, so why not offer this for New Year's Eve?

The origin of waffles is still debated. People say they are very similar to Middle Ages small religious 'breads', because two irons were used to make them. Yet, around the 13rd century, it happened that a blacksmith invented a mould mimicking honeycombs. The dish resulting of this moulding was called 'wafel' in Dutch, which means 'honeycomb' (cf. 'weave' in English, because bees weave them). It was sold in the streets by very poor people or offered to beggars on New Year's Eve as a biblical custom, which is why in some Walloon dialects, they are called 'strènes' ('New Year gifts/tips').

However, these waffles were not sugary at all, and it's only in the 18th century that waffles made of honey, eggs and milk appeared. People found them so sweet and delicious that the dish extended to the whole country and many local recipes were created (almost a waffle a city).

 Brussels waffles

One of the most famous type is Brussels waffles. They are light and crunchy rectangular and sugar, cream, jam, chocolate or fruits are often added on them. If you wander across the streets close to Manneken Pis, you will find many shops that sell those to tourists. They were invented in the half of the 19th century and made popular in the whole world after the first Universal Exhibition in 1958, bringing up the name of 'Belgian waffles'.

Liège waffle

Yet, another sort is becoming even more famous among tourists: Liège waffles. These can be easily distinguished from their Brussels cousin in that they are smaller, round and softer. Usually, small pieces of sugar are incorporated to the dough and people in Liège (Wallonia) often add cinnamon to it, making it all scented. You will find different shops in the center of Liège, but they are also sold in Brussels. A legend says a cooker was asked by the Prince-Bishop of Liège to create a new pastry similar to a brioche in the 18th century and he got the idea to make it a waffle.

'Lukken' from West-Flanders

As said earlier, the waffle tradition concerns the whole country, because other recipes can be found in Flanders too. A type found in West-Flanders, now mainly encountered as wafers (small waffles), is called 'lukken' or New Year wafers. Those are butter waffers typically offered to family for New Year's Eve so as to bring them luck ('lukken' in Dutch). A famous brand of lukken is those made by Jules Destrooper, which are now devoured in the whole country.

Now which one will be your favourite? Post a comment!

A German-speaking community in Belgium

Today is the official day celebrating the German-speaking community of Belgium. A lot is said about the two major communities, the Flemish one and the Walloon-Brussels one, but so many people forget about our German community, which is also officially recognized, with German being the third official language in this beautiful country. I've spent a lot of time in that area so that I can tell you a little more about it.

But please people, don't go too quickly on it thinking this is just a couple of Germans who wanted to find shelter in Belgium, not at all. Actually, their history is a bit more intricate...

First of all, let's make a difference between what's called East Cantons ("Ostbelgien" in German) and the German-speaking community, which is part of East Cantons. Also two Walloon cities (Malmedy and Waimes) are part of East Cantons and tolerate the use of German for official purposes. East Cantons were actually part of Germany until 1920, but they were annexed by Belgium after World War I. Then, they were German again in World War II before becoming Belgian for good after it.

In 1973, the country was divided into three communities (Flemish, French speakers - including the two Walloon cities of East Cantons - and German speakers). So, nine cities are currently part of the German-speaking community, which is itself divided in two areas: the Belgian Eifel (the continuation of a large countryside/forest area starting in Germany) and the Land of Eupen (closer to Flemish Limburg). The capital of this community is Eupen.

 Official flag of the community

Also, there are three official regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels area), BUT no German-speaking region, so that nowadays a Belgian German speaker has different identities :
- German speaker
- part of Wallonia (but not a "Walloon" in the ethnic sense), namely the Province of Liège
- Belgian
Also, there are German speakers (or people who speak a German dialect) in other parts of the country, like the Province of Luxembourg, but they usually have French as a main language.
 
These people are often called Germans by ignorants (including Belgians)... So, just because they speak German doesn't mean they're German (in the same way as Walloons are no French and Flemish are no Dutch). Rather they have this triple identity and consider themselves to be Belgians, although they have affinities with surrounding cities such as Cologne and Aachen. Usually, they are bilingual (German-French) like fifty-fifty. They often get a superior education in Liège in French. When they speak French, their accent is very similar to people from Liège but with a German feeling to it. Oh and by the way, if you speak French, you will think that those who say "une fois" (once) in all their sentences are from Brussels, but nowadays German-speaking Belgians are those who use this expression most frequently (e.g. "passe-moi une fois le sel" for "bring me the salt, please"). And last but not least, nearly all these people don't want to be independent from Belgium, they just want a German-speaking region.

This area is quiet, not very populated and full of nature, countryside and forests. You can also find two enjoyable lakes (Butgenbach and Robertville) where to go on caravaning in the summer and it is also the best place in Belgium to ski, because the snow is so thick in comparison to the rest of Belgium, which is at a lower altitude. In these places, you will find peaceful hospitable people who are happy to live in such nice land and a lot of Dutch and Flemish tourists...

 Isn't that charming?

 

 

Share your impressions of this beautiful area in the comments below!

One country, two Justin Biebers

The unexpected happened in Belgium with the uprising success of Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It happened after his haircut was imitated by basically all teens whipping their hair in a manly way (!) and adjusting their NY caps to look like true "brothers". This small country, which he probably doesn't know of (when asked about the German origin of his name, he said he didn't know what "German" was!), has given birth to two Bieberclones. And guess what... one is a Flemish and the other one is a Walloon! Fierce competition going on...

Flemish Bieber

The Flemish version of Justin Bieber is 16-year-old Ian Thomas. His father is a Flemish actor and his mother a Dutch choregrapher. The teenager decided one day to sing a Dutch version of the hitsong "Baby". This song was at first released as a Youtube video and then became full-shaped a single. Quickly, the song reached #1 of the Flemish charts. He then got also famous in the Netherlands as well and many girls were crazy about him.

Yet recently he published a music video called "Haters" in which he appeared more agressive and full of frustration. In the track, he rapped violently against his bullies, who he said called him names (e.g. "gay") and he often had the police escort him to school and cried in his bed at nights. Although the goal of the video was to stop all attacks against him, it resulted the opposite. Tons of negative comments were posted on his video, which led his mother to ask for the video to be removed from Youtube...

Walloon Bieber

On the other hand, you have Christopher Hagelstein, who is better known as Chris Bieber, the Walloon Justin Bieber. This huge "belieber", aged 20, adopted the complete look of his idol and decided to sing his own song alongside a couple of rapper friends. The music video was published on Youtube and got noticed by a Belgian youtubers, although he didn't get as famous as Ian Thomas, probably due to the quality of his lyrics and singing... Yet the story came to the French media's ears and he was interviewed a number of times and a documentary was made about him.

Recently, however, the young Walloon celebrity's life was plunged into sadness, as on April 4th he had a car crash with his 10-year-old brother. Both were transferred to a local hospital, but only Chris survived, which gave rise to a number of criticisms on the singer for being responsible of his younger brother's death.

All in all, both Justin Bieber look-alikes have in common not only their passion for the Canadian singer, but also a tragic history, with a lot of criticisms and attacks against them. Some people will say that it's because young girls love Justin Bieber so much that young boys hate him even more by pure jealousy... I personally... don't care about him, but I hope these two Belgian singers will have a peaceful life.