My beautiful little country Belgium

Right at the top of BBC world headlines, together with the protest in Myanmar, is the on-going turmoil in my home country. I figured that if the Belgian political news makes headlines on the international BBC channel, devoting 15 minutes of radio prime time, it should meet my blog entry criteria, too ;-)

Logically, everyone feels a certain pride or at least strong bond with the country they grew up in. However, for Belgium, it’s somewhat different. Rarely, you’ll find a Belgian to be very proud of his/her roots. Belgium is too little to mean anything on the international scene, and little has happened in our history that would generate extreme patriotic feelings. We have adapted to this situation: Belgians are generally easy going folks, tolerant, multilingual with an international focus, and being the heart of Europe, reputed as master negotiators and deal makers.
However, within our “artificial” federal country, North-South relations are pretty fucked up. The North, Flanders, is economically strong and modern, and home to the Flemish speaking majority (6/10). The Flemish symbol is the lion. The South, Wallonia, is economically weak and hopelessly outdated, home to the French speaking minority. The Walloon symbol is the rooster. Every year billions of Euros “flow” from North to South as we share one social security system, pension plan, etc. Once, the roles were reversed, and this legacy explains why the French part still has a strong grip and major role in every socio-economical decision. Nevertheless, every year the gap widens, culturally, economically, linguistically (English is more and more preferred as second language instead of Flemish/French).

Now, they can’t agree on a government, more than 4 months after elections ! The nationalistic voices scream for a “velvet” divorce, splitting the tiny country in half. But Brussels, as independent 3rd region, is the heart of Belgium (and Europe), belonging to both communities and officially “bilingual”. Obviously both sides want to keep Brussels. And off course there is still the king. The king of Belgium. It almost sounds funny….

From a distance I follow all this quarrelling and bickering…I doubt anything radical will happen, it’s not in our blood. I find it ridiculously amusing, short sighted and unfortunate for a nation that was among the founders of modern Europe. Living abroad for over 6 years in total, has made me realize how beautiful Belgium is, and how great the people are who live there. It shares the joy of life with the Mediterranean countries, ranks among the best in innovation and technology and boosts one of the most advanced welfare and social security systems in the world. Quality of life ranks among the top 10, up there with Scandinavia. It’s a cozy, warm and (although people like to complain a lot) friendly nation of good-hearted, open-minded folks.

Therefore, although I am a proud Flemish, I find all this childish struggle for power such a waste of time. More than anything I feel a citizen of the world, above being European, Belgian or Flemish. More than one Belgium, or one Europe, it’s time for one world ! I know how optimistic and idealistic all this sounds, but what today can be of more importance than saving our beautiful planet, fighting injustice, child abuse, poverty and just getting along with each other, as we are all the same in all our differences ? I condemn myself, thinking about my own attitude and criticism towards different cultures and opinions. If there is anything I want to be or to become, it is someone who can overcome those invisible barriers, act upon them and make this a better place for all of us. At least I don’t need to defend the pride of Belgium, so that would give me a head start, wouldn’t it ? :-) Power to WTO ! Power to the UN ! Power to a global, planet Earth government ! Enjoy the weekend. Stijn