De Gordel: Difference between revisions
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'''''De Gordel''''' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]] for "the belt") is a partly [[politics|political]], partly family [[cycling]] and [[walking]] event<ref>http://www.flanderstoday.eu/jahia/Jahia/site/flanderstoday/pid/2407</ref> around [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]]. The event is organised by [[Bloso]], each year on the first Sunday of September. It is meant as a symbolic affirmation that the municipalities involved are part of Flanders. It also expresses the solidarity of the entire Flemish community with the Flemings living in these villages. |
'''''De Gordel''''' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]] for "the belt") is a partly [[politics|political]], partly family [[cycling]] and [[walking]] event<ref>http://www.flanderstoday.eu/jahia/Jahia/site/flanderstoday/pid/2407</ref> around [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]]. The event is organised by [[Bloso]], each year on the first Sunday of September. It is meant as a symbolic affirmation that the municipalities involved are part of Flanders. It also expresses the solidarity of the entire Flemish community with the Flemings living in these villages. |
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Depending on the weather, up to 100.000 participants (in 2005) attend, either cycling or walking. In 2008, bad weather resulted in the lower attendance number of 58.000. |
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While opinion on the event varies, some French-speakers see participation as a political move by those who choose to take part (including [[List of Prime Ministers of Belgium|Prime Minister]] [[Guy Verhofstadt]] in 2005). In 2006, [[List of Minister-Presidents of Flanders|Minister-President of Flanders]] [[Yves Leterme]] said: "The Gordel is a pleasant way to say that we want to keep the villages around Brussels Flemish."<ref>[http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/versie2/english/details/060903_Gordel/index.shtml Wind and rain disturb de Gordel] - report on ''De Gordel'' 2006 from vrtnieuws.net</ref>. As Prime Minister, Yves Leterme did not participate in 2008. |
While opinion on the event varies, some French-speakers see participation as a political move by those who choose to take part (including [[List of Prime Ministers of Belgium|Prime Minister]] [[Guy Verhofstadt]] in 2005). In 2006, [[List of Minister-Presidents of Flanders|Minister-President of Flanders]] [[Yves Leterme]] said: "The Gordel is a pleasant way to say that we want to keep the villages around Brussels Flemish."<ref>[http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/versie2/english/details/060903_Gordel/index.shtml Wind and rain disturb de Gordel] - report on ''De Gordel'' 2006 from vrtnieuws.net</ref>. As Prime Minister, Yves Leterme did not participate in 2008. |
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* [http://www.de-gordel.be/ Official page], in Dutch |
* [http://www.de-gordel.be/ Official page], in Dutch |
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[[Category:Recurring events established in 1981]] |
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{{Belgium-stub}} |
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[[Category:Politics of Belgium]] |
[[Category:Politics of Belgium]] |
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Revision as of 22:38, 7 September 2008
De Gordel (Dutch for "the belt") is a partly political, partly family cycling and walking event[1] around Brussels, Belgium. The event is organised by Bloso, each year on the first Sunday of September. It is meant as a symbolic affirmation that the municipalities involved are part of Flanders. It also expresses the solidarity of the entire Flemish community with the Flemings living in these villages.
Depending on the weather, up to 100.000 participants (in 2005) attend, either cycling or walking. In 2008, bad weather resulted in the lower attendance number of 58.000.
While opinion on the event varies, some French-speakers see participation as a political move by those who choose to take part (including Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt in 2005). In 2006, Minister-President of Flanders Yves Leterme said: "The Gordel is a pleasant way to say that we want to keep the villages around Brussels Flemish."[2]. As Prime Minister, Yves Leterme did not participate in 2008.
So close to Brussels, and passing through several Dutch-speaking towns with French-speaking majorities in some areas, this sports event gains wide television coverage through news reports and serves as a very visual reminder that linguistic and political divisions among neighbouring regions and even neighbours themselves remain alive in the area immediately surrounding Brussels.
Incidents
De Gordel has fallen victim to sabotage actions several times in the past. During the 2006 event, local police caught a French-speaking nationalistic lawyer and another person throwing thumbtacks on the road. [3]. Even, in 2008 an increase in thumbtack throwing was noted.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.flanderstoday.eu/jahia/Jahia/site/flanderstoday/pid/2407
- ^ Wind and rain disturb de Gordel - report on De Gordel 2006 from vrtnieuws.net
- ^ article about the sabotage in 2006 - from standaard.be (in Dutch)
External links
- Flanders Today: Glorious Gordel
- Official page, in Dutch