Introduction

Belgium influenced the European art and culture with the art movement and has many famous artists, authors and musicians.  Belgium is known for many things including beer, chocolate, and waffles.  Belgian Waffles were originally called “Brussels Waffles” because they were first made in Brussels, Belgium.    

Image by historic.brussels via Flickr

Country Information

·        Geographic Facts

Here are three geographic facts about Belgium:

1.         Belgium is located in Western Europe and it borders the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands.  Belgium has an area of 33,990 square km with three main geographical regions.  These geographical regions are the coastal plain in the north-west, the central plateau, and the Ardennes uplands in the south-east.

2.         There are over 10 million people in Belgium, making it the second most densely populated country in the world.

3.         The average temperature in Belgium is 37.4 °F at its lowest in January and the highest temperature in July is at 64.4 °F.

·        3 “Serious” Facts

Here are three serious facts about Belgium:

1.         Belgium has three official languages, which are: Dutch, French and German. 

2.         Belgium produces over 800 different standard beers.  There are about 125 breweries in Belgium.

3.         Belgium’s economy is characterized by its highly productive work force, high GNP and the high exports per capita and is also heavily service-oriented.  Because Belgium is located in the heart of a highly industrialized region, it was named the 15th largest trading nation in 2007.

·        3 “Fun” Facts

Here are three serious facts about Belgium:

1.         Belgium is famous for waffles and also French fries.  They are called “french” because that means to cut into slivers.

2.         Oil painting was invented by famous Belgian painters in the 15th century.

3.         Belgium produces around 220,000 tonnes of chocolate every year.  The average consumption per person is 22 kg which is 48.5 lbs of chocolate annually.

·        A “Potpourri” Item

Here is an unusual fact (or two or three) about Belgium:

1.           In Brussels, there is a statue of a naked boy urinating in a fountain and is known as the “Mannekin Pis.”  This statue is dressed up in costume several times a week.  There are over 800 different costumes.

Food Information

·        Recipe: Belgium Waffles

Ingredients:

~Krusteaz Belgium Waffle Mix
~4 Eggs
~2/3 cup of oil
~3 cups of water
Directions:

1. Preheat and lightly grease Belgian or conventional waffle iron.
2. Blend the ingredients together with a wire whip until smooth.
3. Pour about 2/3 cup of batter onto preheated and lightly greased waffle iron.
4. Cook waffles 3-4 minutes until golden brown or according to waffle iron instructions.

·        My Kitchen Story

I decided to make Belgium waffles because that is one of the foods that Belgium is famous for.  This was the second time I’ve ever made waffles and the first time to make Belgium waffles, so it was not as difficult for me to master.  The directions were very simple to follow, and the trick is to put just the right amount of batter in the waffle maker or else you will make a big mess.  To spice up the waffles, just add your favorite topping!       

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Contact Info: To contact the author of “A Taste of Belgium: A Recipe for Belgium Waffles,” please email molly.glasgow@selu.edu. 

 David C. Wyld (dwyld@selu.edu) is the Robert Maurin Professor of Management at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He is a management consultant, researcher/writer, and executive educator. His blog, Wyld About Business, can be viewed at http://wyld-business.blogspot.com/.  

Like many countries around the world, the Annual carnival held in Aalst in Belgium celebrates a mixture of traditional and Christian values. It is held at a time of year that bids farewell to the cold dismal days of winter and welcomes the onset of spring. It takes place over three days finishing on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent, traditionally the start of forty days fasting before Easter Sunday, celebrated by Christians as the  resurrection of Christ. (Carnival is taken from the Latin “carne” meaning meat; “lent” means little or no food)

Day one. Aalst (or Oilsjt), situated 19 miles north-west of the capital Brussels, starts the carnival on Sunday with a procession, “The Parade of the Giants”. This includes Aalst’s own giant, Ross Balatum. Ross Balatum is a giant horse from French and Flemish mythology, which is always given pride of place in the procession and bearing the town’s coat of arms

Image credit Erik De Troyer   (The coat of arms of Aalst is seen below the head)

This is an opportunity for the participants to give their interpretation of the last twelve months’ world and local events, with both costumes and giant floats. There are oversized characters from the world stage that outsiders will recognize, and comments on local issues, usually politics, that the visitor will not understand. The emphasis of the day, however, is definitely on slapstick comedy.

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Image by bram_souffreau via Flickr

Image by bram_souffreau via Flickr

 
Image by bram_souffreau via Flickr

Day two and the fun goes on. There is another procession.

 
Image credit Erik De Troyer 

 
Image credit Erik De Troyer 

Image credit Erik De Troyer 

Image credit Erik De Troyer 

This one culminates in onion throwing at the Schepenhaus (the Town Hall). This beautiful building, started in 1225, is the oldest surviving building of its type in Belgium and dominates the Grote Markt. The Belfry tower built in1470 and bearing the town’s motto “Nec Spec Nec Metu” (Neither Hope Nor Fear) may have become a World Heritage Site in 1997, but it does not stop it overlooking the town’s onion throwing. This takes place from the Town Hall  and unsurprisingly the surrounding hostelries and houses. In the past the people of Aalst had been called “onions” because as a Belgian friend described “they ate a lot of onion soup in the old days”.

Nowadays the onions tend to be less dangerous and are made of confectionary. They also contain numbers and the lucky winner of the draw goes home with a golden onion!

Image credit Erik De Troyer      “Nec Spec Nec Metu”

The day is not over yet, for in the afternoon The Gilles d’Aalst arrive. These insanely exaggerated characters, their costumes overstuffed with straw, to driving drumbeats, sweep tourists and locals alike off their feet. They perform their “danse de balai”, literally the broom dance, well into the evening.

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Day threeof the carnival sees “The Procession of Voil Jeannetten” or the “Procession of Dirty Jenny”.

Men dressed as women and women in false beards arrive in their thousands. This whole colourful sight brings out the real audience participation of the three days. Confusion adds to the fun. Is that a man dressed as a woman? Is that a woman dressed as a man? Is that a woman dressed as a man dressed as a woman? Is that a man dressed as a woman dressed as a man? “Oops sorry madam, I did not realise that you were not part of the parade….” The combinations and confusions are endless.

 As the travelling melee courses along the route of the procession, watchers are met with a barrage of insults and some choice Flemish slang abuse to get everybody in the mood for the evening and the final night of partying ahead. This is probably the reason for fasting, so that some of the participants, or some of the particiskirts have forty days to get rid of their hangovers. (Please yourself this is merely a suggestion, but at the end of a night in the bars, do not commit yourself to a long term relationship with a person you have just met, although there are probably a number of visitors who have woken up with a sore head in the morning looking at the person next to them wishing or praying “Please tell me I didn’t.”)

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Image credit Erik De Troyer

When a town like Aalst celebrate a carnival it is a time when the whole society pulls together. Not only in the enormous amount of work that goes into the planning and preparations or the amount of time making costumes and building floats. It is a time of older generations encouraging the younger generations to carry on the traditions and to provide and enjoy the festivities for those still to come.

Image credit Erik De Troyer

Image credit Erik De Troyer

So if you want a trip to see Belgium’s best kept secret, or if you simply would like to try a change of fashion, now you know where to go.

Especial thanks to photographer Erik De Troyer, whose photographs are copyright, for allowing me to use them here, and to Belgian author Patrick Bernauw for checking my translations.

Other writing on social events and places of interest by this author:
A Cultural Landscape: Yorkshire Sculpture Park 

Hilarious Flashmob Craze is Spreading Around the World

Diary From a Greek Island

Fingal’s Cave and the Incredible Architectural Rock Formations of Staffa

Banksy in Bethlehem: Art and the Barrier Between Two Nations

Banksy Storms New Orleans: Banksy vs. the Grey Ghost

Advice on how to use the work of photographers in a written article:

Black Holes and Revelations: Creative Commons and Nasa’s Stunning Images

The town has often been described as the Western Venice. There are two main truths in this: It has winding streets and waterways creeping throughout the historical city; secondly it contains the same hoards of middle-class tourists sipping their Americano coffees.

However, Bruges is like Venice’s younger sister, a little more innocent and cheerful in character. Tourists have not yet infiltrated all its corners, and its beer is undoubtedly of higher quality at less exorbitant prices than Venice. The town is also a refreshing break to the souvenir-ridden virus that sweeps most European tourist hubs. Instead you will find home-made chocolate delicatessen shops spread along the streets – the divine selection of hand crafted treats is enough to send a chocoholic plump with choice.

An Historical Insight

Wander down the narrow lanes for a glimpse back through Bruges’ history. Notable sights include the 13th century Belfry, the Beguinage (c1245) and the Groeningemuseum. Most spectacular is the Church of Our Lady, one of the world’s highest brick buildings (122 meters) and containing Michelangelo’s famous Madonna and Child. This is a must for any cultural buff.

The medieval buildings highlight Bruges’ textured past. It rose as an important port and centre of trade within Europe, however struggles with revolts, poverty and war throughout the 13-14 Century saw the downfall of its trade and prosperity. It was not until the 19th Century that Bruges once again saw a rise in wealth by trading in on its art and culture, ultimately capturing the tourist hearts and dollar.

From Diamonds to Dancing

Belgium is world renowned for its diamond trade, with the art of diamond polishing originating within Bruges in the 15th Century. The town contains various jewellery and diamond shops, however if this does not satisfy all your needs, only one hour train ride away is the major centre of the global diamond trade: Antwerp. This town devotes an entire district to diamond shops, and also has “Diamondland,” a store that also offers a short tour on the process of transforming a rough cut diamond to a gem.

There is no better way to unwind after an indulging day of chocolate, diamonds and history lessons than settling in for a beer within Bruges’ remarkable night scene. You will discover live jazz bars, dance bars, smoky clubs, traditional Belgium pubs, as well the occasional outdoor music concert or festival within the town centre.

The restaurants and bars resting on the water’s edge light up the canals and streets, while the walkways become packed with tourists, teens, couples and numerous camera tripods attempting to capture the enticing scenes. Restaurants serve a feast of food, including fresh seafood, Spanish tapas, or my personal favourite: chips, mayonnaise and beer (the Belgium staple).

The Art of Beer

Beer is taken extremely seriously in Belgium, with many restaurants devoting the majority of its menu to in-depth coverage of various local beer varieties. Each brew is served in a specialised glass, at the precise temperature to ensure optimal taste.

I recommend the various cherry and strawberry beers, such as Bellevue and Framboos. A more masculine beer on offer is the Chimay Bleue. This distinctive dark ale was developed by local monks who were dedicated to finding the perfect brew. One should be wary though, at 9% alcohol volume it is better to savour the full flavoured taste, rather than gulp it back like you may a regular beer.

On the whole the locals are friendly and happy to lend their expertise to recommend particular brews. However, is it not always easy to share their jokes as English comes in third after French and Dutch in the national language stakes.

Bruges is a gem within Europe, offering culture, good food and drink all within the realms of every traveller’s budget and tastes. The art and culture junkie will get their fix here, as will lovers of beer, chips and live music. The downside of this popular town is the rush of tourists filling the centre squares and restaurants during the popular summer months of July – August. Worse still, is the the inability to trial all the delectable beer varieties in just one weekend.

The Essential Facts:

Getting there: Bruges is a great add-on to any European trip and is well connected by train, plane and bus to all major European capitals. From London the Eurostar has great deals on accommodation and return train fares starting at ₤100 per person.

Getting around: Bruges is small enough to wander around, with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants available for a rest if the walking gets too much. Alternatively, There are taxis and local buses for travel around the city.

Eat: The ultimate Belgium experience is traditional chips and mayonnaise served fresh from the deep fryer

Events:

• Canalside Festival (September 2008): Dancing, music and historical theatrics light up the canal’s for this colorful festival.
• Procession of Holy Blood (May 2008): A festival that began in 1150, where a sacred cloth that was stained with the blood of Christ’s wounds is paraded through the town.
• Christmas Market (November 2007 – January 2008): An large open-air ice-rink, festive lights, market stalls and plenty of chocolate take over the Central Market Square.
• Jazz Bruges (September 2008): Jazz artists from across Europe put on day and evening Jazz shows
• Coco Laté Festival (April 2008): A town famed for its chocolate puts on a divine show of chocolate sculptures, tasting presentations, walking tours and cocoa massages.

Further Information:

• Official tourist website
• Belgium for Beer Lovers
• Diamond Lovers
• Chimay breweries
• Hotel Accommodation