A discussion of Belgian culture requires discussing both those aspects of cultural life shared by 'all' or most of the Belgians, regardless of what language they speak, and also, the differences between the main cultural communities, the Flemish people from Flanders and Brussels and the French-speakers from Brussels and Wallonia. The term Flemings (Dutch: ) denotes the majority population in Flanders (the northern half of Belgium). ... For other uses, see Flanders (disambiguation). ... For other places with the same name, see Brussels (disambiguation). ... Wallonia (French: Wallonie, German: Wallonien, Walloon: Walonreye, Dutch: Wallonië) or the Walloon Region (French: Région Wallonne, Dutch: Waals Gewest) is the predominantly French-speaking region that constitutes one of the three federal regions of Belgium, with its capital at Namur. ...

Most Belgians tend to view their culture as an integral part of European culture or Western culture; nevertheless, both main communities tend to make their thousands of individual and collective cultural choices mainly from within their own community, and then, when going beyond, the Flemish draw intensively from both the English-speaking culture (which dominates sciences, professional life and most news media) and French and other Latin cultures, whereas French-speakers focus on cultural life in Paris and elsewhere in the French-speaking world (la Francophonie), and less outside. A truly scientific discussion would also include discussion of the different cultures of Belgian ethnic minorities such as the Jews who have formed a remarkable component of Flemish culture - in particular that of Antwerp for over five hundred years. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For this articles equivalent regarding the East, see Eastern culture. ... The term Flemings (Dutch: ) denotes the majority population in Flanders (the northern half of Belgium). ... This article is about the capital of France. ... Motto Égalité, Complémentarité, Solidarité Members and participants of La Francophonie. ... For other uses, see Antwerp (disambiguation). ...

Art

Museums

Some of the most impressive museums in Belgium are The Royal Museum for Fine Arts, in Antwerp, which has an admirable collection of works by Peter Paul Rubens, the Groeningemuseum in Bruges, with the Flemish Primitives, and The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, which has a cinema, a concert hall, and artworks of many periods, including a large René Magritte collection. Peter Paul Rubens (June 28, 1577 – May 30, 1640) was a prolific seventeenth-century Flemish and European painter, and a proponent of an exuberant Baroque style that emphasized movement, color, and sensuality. ... The Groeningemuseum is a Municipal Museum of Bruges, Belgium It houses a comprehensive survey of six centuries of Flemish and Belgian painting, from Jan van Eyck to Marcel Broodthaers. ... Geography Country Belgium Community Flemish Community Region Flemish Region Province West Flanders Arrondissement Bruges Coordinates , , Area 138. ... The Flemish Primitives were a group of painters active primarily in the Southern Netherlands in the 15th and early 16th centuries. ... The Treachery of Images (La trahison des images) (1928–1929) René François Ghislain Magritte (November 21, 1898 – August 15, 1967) was a Belgian surrealist artist. ...

Furthermore, the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp, a world heritage site, is the complete factory of the largest publishing house of the seventeenth century. Museum in Antwerp, Belgium honoring the famous printers Christoffel Plantijn and Jan Moretus. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ...

Literature

Belgian literature as such does not exist. Flemish share their authors with the Dutch (see Dutch literature, Flemish literature), and French-speakers with the French (see French literature), which tend to confuse people on Belgian authors', several great French authors went to Belgium for refuge (e.g. Apollinaire, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlaine) and conversely, top French-speaking writers often settle in Paris (e.g. Simenon, Amélie Nothomb). It is also sometimes difficult to cast Belgian authors into the French or Flemish category because many Flemish authors have written in French (e.g. Suzanne Lilar) and spent a large part of their lifes outside of Flanders or of Belgium (e.g. Emile Verhaeren or Maurice Maeterlinck). The confusion is also enhanced by the fact that many French-speaking individuals are coming from originally Dutch-speaking families (particularly in Brussels, e.g. Jacques Brel). Because Belgium is a bilingual country, Belgian literature is divided into the two main languages spoken in the country - French and Dutch or Flemish - and discussed under the languages of these countries : France and Dutch. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Flemish Literature is literature from Flanders. ... French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak other traditional non-French languages. ... Guillaume Apollinaire (August 26, 1880 _ November 9, 1918) was a poet, writer, and art critic. ... Charles Baudelaire Charles Pierre Baudelaire (April 9, 1821–August 31, 1867) was one of the most influential French poets. ... Rimbaud can refer to: Arthur Rimbaud, 19th century poet and literary figure Penny Rimbaud, founder and drummer of the anarchist punk rock band Crass This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Geography Country Belgium Community French Community Region Walloon Region Province Liège Arrondissement Huy Coordinates , , Area 24. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Amélie Nothomb (born August 13, 1967) is a Belgian writer. ... Suzanne Lilar in the 1980 Suzanne Lilar (born Suzanne Verbist) (b. ... Emile Verhaeren (May 21, 1855- November 27, 1916) was a Belgian poet writing in the French language, and one of the chief founders of the school of Symbolism. ... Maurice Polydore Marie Bernard Maeterlinck, Belgian author Count Maurice Polydore Marie Bernard Maeterlinck (August 29, 1862 - May 6, 1949) was a Belgian poet, playwright, and essayist. ... Jacques Brel Jacques Romain Georges Brel (French IPA: ) (April 8, 1929 – October 9, 1978) was a Belgian French-speaking singer-songwriter. ...

Belgium has produced several well-known authors such as poets: Guido Gezelle (1830-1899), Emile Verhaeren (1855-1916), Max Elskamp (1862-1931), Maurice Maeterlinck (1862-1949), Paul van Ostaijen (1896-1926), Henri Michaux (French born and educated in Belgium, 1899-1984) and Jacques Brel (1929–1978) and writers: Hendrik Conscience (1812-1883), Charles de Coster (1827-1879), Willem Elsschot (1882-1960), Michel de Ghelderode (1898-1962), Georges Simenon 1903-1989, Louis Paul Boon (1912-1979), Hugo Claus (born in 1929), Pierre Mertens (born in 1939) Ernest Claes (1885 - 1968), [[and, Amélie Nothomb (born in 1967). Guido Gezelle (1830-1899) was a poet and Roman Catholic priest writing in the Dutch language area of Belgium. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Emile Verhaeren (May 21, 1855- November 27, 1916) was a Belgian poet writing in the French language, and one of the chief founders of the school of Symbolism. ... Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about 1862 . ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Maurice Polydore Marie Bernard Maeterlinck, Belgian author Count Maurice Polydore Marie Bernard Maeterlinck (August 29, 1862 - May 6, 1949) was a Belgian poet, playwright, and essayist. ... This article is about 1862 . ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Paul van Ostaijen (Antwerp, February 22, 1896 - Miavoye-Anthée, March 18, 1928) was a Flemish poet and writer. ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Henri Michaux (May 24, 1899 - October 18, 1984) was a highly individualistic Belgian poet, writer and painter who wrote in the French language. ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... Jacques Brel Jacques Romain Georges Brel (French IPA: ) (April 8, 1929 – October 9, 1978) was a Belgian French-speaking singer-songwriter. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Hendrik Conscience (born December 3, 1812 in Antwerp – died September 10, 1883 in Antwerp) was a Flemish writer. ... For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... Year 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Charles-Theodore-Henri De Coster (20 August 1827 - 7 May 1879) was a Belgian novelist whose efforts laid the basis for a native Belgian literature. ... Year 1827 (MDCCCXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Belgian stamp honoring the writer Willem Elsschot (7 May 1882 - 31 May 1960), was a Flemish writer and poet (pseudonym of Alfons-Jozef De Ridder). ... Year 1882 (MDCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Michel De Ghelderode (1898 - 1962) was an avante-garde Belgian dramatist, writing in French. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Year 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Louis Paul Boon (15 March 1912 - 10 May 1979) was a Flemish journalist and novelist who is considered one of the major 20th century writers in the Dutch language. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Hugo Maurice Julien Claus (born April 5, 1929 in Bruges, Belgium) is a prolific Flemish novelist, poet, playwright, painter and film director. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pierre Mertens (born October 9, 1939) is a Belgian French-speaking writer and lawyer who specializes in international law, director of the Centre de sociologie de la littérature at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and literary critic with the newspaper Le Soir. ... Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Andreas Ernestus Josephus Claes (October, 24th 1885 in Zichem - September, 2nd 1968 in Elsene) was a Flemsih author. ... Amélie Nothomb (born August 13, 1967) is a Belgian writer. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ...

Comics

Main article: Belgian comics

Belgium has numerous well-known cartoonists, such as Hergé (The Adventures of Tintin), Peyo (The Smurfs), Franquin (Spirou et Fantasio, Marsupilami, Gaston), Willy Vandersteen (Spike and Suzy), Morris (Lucky Luke), Edgar P. Jacobs (Blake and Mortimer), Jef Nys (Jommeke) and Marc Sleen (Nero). Belgian comics are a distinct subgroup in the comics history, and played a major role in the development of European comics. ... Cartoonist Jack Elrod at work. ... Georges Prosper Remi (May 22, 1907 – March 3, 1983), better known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian comics writer and artist. ... The Adventures of Tintin (French: ) is a series of Belgian comic books created by Belgian artist Hergé, the pen name of Georges Remi (1907–1983). ... Pierre Culliford (June 25, 1928 – December 24, 1992), known as Peyo, was a Belgian comics artist, perhaps best known for the creation of The Smurfs comic strip. ... Smurf redirects here. ... Andr Franquin (January 3, 1924 - January 5, 1997) was a Belgian cartoonist, perhaps best known for his humorous comic strip creation Gaston and the Marsupilami. ... Il y a un sorcier à Champignac, 1951, by Franquin Spirou et Fantasio (Spirou and Fantasio) is a Franco-Belgian comic strip that began its run in 1938. ... Marsupilami is a fictional comic book animal created by André Franquin in 1952. ... Gaston Lagaffe is a comic strip originally created in 1957 by the Belgian cartoonist André Franquin in the comic strip magazine, Spirou, and named after its main character. ... Willy Vandersteen (February 15, 1913 at Antwerp - August 28, 1990) was a Flemish creator of comic books. ... The main characters of the Spike and Suzy series on a wall painting in Brussels. ... Maurice de Bevere (December 1, 1923 - July 16, 2001), better known as Morris, was a Belgian cartoonist and the creator of Lucky Luke. ... This article is about the comic book and TV series. ... Blake and Mortimer, The Yellow Mark Edgard Félix Pierre Jacobs, (b. ... Blake and Mortimer, The Yellow M Blake and Mortimer is a comic book/graphic novel series that was created by the Belgian writer and artist Edgar P. Jacobs (1904-1987). ... Jef Nys (b. ... Jommeke is the name of a Flemish comic book series. ... Marc Sleen is a Belgian comic book artist, best known for the Nero series. ... The Adventures of Nero or Nero is a Flemish comic strip drawn by Marc Sleen and the name of its main character. ...

More recently, Jean Van Hamme (XIII, Largo Winch, Thorgal, etc.), Raoul Cauvin (Les Tuniques Bleues, Agent 212), François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters (Les Cités Obscures) are among the most read cartoonists. Jean Van Hamme (born January 16, 1939) is a Belgian novelist and scenario writer of comic books. ... â…©â… â… â…  Original Title Series Title â…©â… â… â…  Writer(s) Jean Van Hamme Artist(s) William Vance Publisher Dargaud First published 1984 Publication frequency Pages â…©â… â… â…  (Thirteen) is a Franco-Belgian comic book series written by the Belgian Jean Van Hamme and drawn by the Belgian William Vance. ... Largo Winch is a Belgian comic book series, by Philippe Francq and Jean Van Hamme, edited by Dupuis. ... Cover of the 9th Thorgal album Les Archers. ... Raoul Cauvin (Antoing, Belgium, September 26th, 1938 - ) is a Belgian comics author. ... Les Tuniques Bleues, literally blue uniforms, refers to the Northern army during the Civil War in the U.S. This series of Bandes Dessinees (comic books in the Franco-Belgian tradition) follows two cavalrymen through a series of battles and adventures. ... Agent 212, Cover of the first issue Agent 212 is the name of a humorous Belgian comic about a fat police officer. ... François Schuiten (born 26 April 1956) is a Belgian comic book artist. ... Benoît Peeters is a comics writer, novelist, and critic, born in Paris in 1956, but living in Belgium since 1978. ... Encyclopédie des transports présents et à venir by Axel Wappendorf Les Cités Obscures (Cities of the Fantastic) is an imaginary parallel world (a Counter-Earth), created by the Belgian comics artist François Schuiten and his friend, writer Benoît Peeters. ...

Belgium is home to some of the most important European comics magazines and publishers, with Dupuis (Spirou magazine), Le Lombard (Tintin magazine) and Casterman. Dupuis is a Belgian editor of comic books and magazines. ... Spirou is: a Belgian childrens comic magazine; one of its serial comic strips, which is also published in hardcover format the eponymous character of the comic strip. ... Le Lombard or Lombard Editions is a Belgian comic book publisher established in 1946 when the Tintin series was launched. ... Le journal de Tintin (in its French-speaking version), Kuifje (Dutch-speaking version), was a weekly realist Belgian comics magazine of the second half of the 20th century. ... Casterman is an a publishing company in Tournai, Belgium, mostly famous as the publisher of graphic novels, among which Tintin. ...

Music

Main article: Music of Belgium

Many important classical composers were born in Belgium. The most famous is undoubtedly César Franck but Henri Vieuxtemps, Eugène Ysaÿe, Guillaume Lekeu and Wim Mertens are also noteworthy. Belgium is a cultural crossroads where Flemish Dutch-speaking and Walloon French-speaking inhabitants mix with German minorities and immigrant communities from Republic of the Congo and other distant countries. ... César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck (December 10, 1822 – November 8, 1890), a composer, organist and music teacher of Belgian origin who lived in France, was one of the great figures in classical music in the second half of the 19th century. ... Henri François Joseph Vieuxtemps (February 17, 1820 – June 6, 1881) was a Belgian composer and violinist active in France. ... Eugène Ysaÿe (July 16, 1858 – May 12, 1931) was a Belgian violinist, composer and conductor. ... Guillaume Lekeu (born January 20, 1870 in Verviers, Belgium, died January 21, 1894 in Angers, France) was a Belgian (Wallon) composer. ... Wim Mertens Wim Mertens (b. ...

Well-known singers include pioneer Bobbejaan Schoepen, Jacques Brel, Johnny Hallyday (before he became French), Arno, and Maurane. Bobbejaan Schoepen Bobbejaan Schoepen (born Modest Schoepen, May 16, 1925, Boom, Antwerp) is a Flemish entertainer, singer, guitarist, composer, actor, and founder of the Bobbejaanland amusement park in Belgium. ... Jacques Brel Jacques Romain Georges Brel (French IPA: ) (April 8, 1929 – October 9, 1978) was a Belgian French-speaking singer-songwriter. ... Johnny Hallyday (born June 15, 1943 in Paris) is a French singer and actor. ... Arno Hintjens (usually referred to as Arno) is a Belgian artist from Ostend. ... Insert non-formatted text here ...

Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was born in Belgium. The country has also a very active jazz scene that is achieving international recognition with bands like Aka Moon, Maak's Spirit and Octurn. Harmonicist Toots Thielemans and guitarist Philip Catherine are probably the best known Belgian jazz musicians. Life-size statue of Adolphe Sax outside his birthplace in Dinant, Belgium. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Aka Moon is a Belgian avant-garde jazz band. ... Mâäk’s Spirit is a Belgian avant-gardist jazz band. ... Octurn is a Belgian polyrhythmic jazz ensemble lead by Bo Van Der Werf (baritone saxophone and clarinet). ... Jean Toots Thielemans (born Brussels, April 29, 1922) is a Belgian jazz artist well known for his guitar, harmonica play and also for his highly accomplished professional whistling. ... Philip Catherine (born October 27, 1942) is a Belgian jazz guitarist. ...

Hooverphonic, formed in the mid-1990s, is a Belgian pop / trip hop band that achieved international recognition through their inclusion on the soundtrack Bernardo Bertolucci's 1996 film Io Ballo da Sola (English: Stealing Beauty). Other popular Belgian pop music comes from Axelle Red, Vaya Con Dios, and K's Choice. Hooverphonic is a Belgian rock/pop group formed in 1995. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... For other uses, see Pop music (disambiguation). ... Trip hop (also known as the Bristol sound) is a term coined by United Kingdom dance magazine Mixmag, to describe a musical trend in the mid-1990s; trip hop is downtempo electronic music that grew out of Englands hip hop and house scenes. ... Bernardo Bertolucci (born March 16, 1940) is an Italian writer and Academy Award winning film director. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Stealing Beauty is a 1996 Italian/French/British film written and directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. ... Axelle Red was born Fabienne Demal in Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium, on 15 February 1968. ... Vaya con dios is a Belgian music group. ... Sarah and Gert Bettens on the cover of their album Almost Happy Ks Choice is a Belgian rock band from Antwerp. ...

Belgium has also influenced electronic music with a.o. Front 242, Praga Khan (also known as Lords of Acid) and 2 Many DJ's, and rock music with dEUS. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Praga Khan (real name: Maurice Engelen) is an early techno music musician. ... Lords of Acid is a Belgian acid house band from the 1990s that started as a spinoff of Praga Khan with the controversial New Beat single I Sit on Acid in 1988. ... Soulwax, headed by David and Stephen Dewaele, is an alternative rock band hailing from Ghent, Belgium. ... dEUS is an indie rock band based in Antwerp, Belgium, currently consisting of Tom Barman (vocals and guitar), Klaas Janzoons (keyboards and violin), Stéphane Misseghers (drums), Alan Gevaert (bass) and Mauro Pawlowski (guitar and vocals). ...

Belgian hip-hop started with the rise of Starflam, CNN (a Brussels-based crew) and 't Hof van Commerce in the mid 1990s. Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... Starflam is a Belgian hip hop group from Liège in the frenchspeaking southeastern part of Belgium - Walloon. ... t Hof van Commerce is a Belgian hip hop crew from Izegem in the province West Flanders, in the Dutch speaking flemish north part of Belgium. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ...

Architecture

There are still many old monuments visible in Belgium, like the romanesque Collégiale Saint-Gertrude de Nivelles (1046) and Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Tournai, gothic Antwerp cathedral (15th century) and baroque Brussels Grand' Place. Famous Art Nouveau architects Victor Horta and Henry Van de Velde have influenced the early 20th century architecture in Belgium and abroad. South transept of Tournai Cathedral, Belgium, 12th century. ... Nivelles (Dutch: Nijvel) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. ... // Events First contact between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuks. ... Tournai Cathedral Notre-Dame Cathedral of Tournai is one of the most important architectural monuments in Belgium. ... The western facade of Reims Cathedral, France. ... For other uses, see Antwerp (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Cathedral (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Baroque (disambiguation). ... For other places with the same name, see Brussels (disambiguation). ... A view of Lange (The Angel) on the Grand Place The Grand Place (French: Grand-Place or Grand Place, Dutch: Grote Markt) is the central market square of Brussels. ... Vitebsk Railway Station one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture. ... Maison and Atelier Horta, designed in 1898, now houses the Horta Museum, dedicated to his work. ... Henry Van de Velde (3 April 1863 – 15 October 1957) was a Belgian painter, architect and interior designer. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

Cinematography

Main article: Cinema of Belgium

Belgium cinema has already been rewarded several times at Cannes Film Festival (Benoît Poelvoorde, Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, etc.) and in other less-known festivals. Belgian movies are generally made with small budget. The Cinema of Belgium can often be considered a blending of Dutch Cinema and French Cinema though with its own unique national qualities. ... The Cannes Film Festival (French: le Festival de Cannes), founded in 1939, is one of the worlds oldest, most influential and prestigious film festivals. ... Benoît Poelvoorde (born September 22, 1964, in Namur, Belgium) is a Belgian actor. ... Luc Dardenne is a belgian filmmaker. ... Jean-Pierre Dardenne (born April 21, 1951 in Engis, Liège, Belgium) is a filmmaker. ...

Gastronomy

Main article: Cuisine of Belgium

Good cooking and fine beers are seen by many as part of Belgian culture. One of the many beers with the high prestige is that of the Trappist monks. Technically, it is an ale and traditionally each abbey's beer is served in its own glass (the forms, heights and widths are different). There are only seven breweries (six of them are Belgian) that are allowed to brew Trappist beer. Belgium is a nation of Gourmands rather than Gourmets which translates into big cuisine rather than fine cuisine. ... New Melleray Abbey, near Peosta, Iowa. ... For other uses, see Monk (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ale (disambiguation). ... Trappist logo A Trappist beer is a beer brewed by or under control of Trappist monks. ...

Although Belgian gastronomy is connected to French cuisine, some recipes were reputedly invented there as e.g. french fried potatoes (regardless that name), Vlaamse stoofkarbonnaden aka carbonnades flamandes (a beef stew with beer, mustard and laurel), speculaas (a sort of cookie), Belgian waffles, waterzooi (a broth made with chicken or fish, cream and vegetables), endive with bechamel sauce, Brussels sprouts, Belgian pralines (Belgium has some of the most renowned chocolate houses), and Paling In 't Groen (river eels in a sauce of green herbs). This article is about culinary recipes. ... French fries on a plate. ... Laurel may refer to: // Lauraceae, the botanical laurel family, including Bay laurel Laurus nobilis, the original true laurel that is the source of bay leaves used as a seasoning California Laurel Umbellularia californica is a related tree or large shrub True Cinnamon or Ceylon Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum, the inner bark... Speculaas: Ship, Farmhouse, Elephant, Horse Speculaas (/spekylas/, Spéculoos in French) is a type of shortcrust biscuit (AE: cookie), traditionally baked for consumption on St Nicholas Eve (December 5). ... Belgian waffles are a type of waffle identified by their larger size, lighter batter and higher grid pattern which forms deep pockets. ... Waterzooi is a classic stew of Belgian cuisine. ... Belgian endive Endive (Chichorium intibus) is a leaf vegetable used especially in salads. ... B chamel Sauce, also known as white sauce, is a basic sauce that is used as the base for other sauces, such as Mornay sauce, which is B chamel and cheese. ... The Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group) is a cultivar group of Wild Cabbage cultivated for its small (typically 2. ... Pralines on a cutting board Pralines and box posed Pralines in a box Praline is a family of confections made from nuts and sugar syrup. ... For other uses, see Chocolate (disambiguation). ... Paling In t Groen is a Belgian culinary dish comprising eels in sauce. ... For other uses, see Eel (disambiguation). ...

Belgian cookies are noted for their aroma and unique texture.

Folklore

Festivals play a major role in Belgium's cultural life. Nearly every city and town has its own festival, some that date back several centuries. And these aren't just tricks for tourism, but real, authentic celebrations that take months to prepare. Two of the biggest festivals are the three-day carnival at Binche, near Mons, held just before Lent (the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter), and the Procession of the Holy Blood, held in Bruges in May. During the carnival in Binche, "Gilles" lead the procession, which are men dressed in high, plumed hats and bright costumes. Several of these festivals include sporting competitions, such as cycling, and many of these festivals fall under the category of kermesse. This article describes the festival season. ... Binche is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. ... Mons Mons ---- (more info) Stage 1 : Request (How-to) Article EN is too short for the city where the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is located Sylfred1977 20:04, 13 October 2007 (UTC) Very good article (featured article in the french WIKIPEDIA) Join this translation   ---   Update this information (instructions)   This... It has been suggested that Cuaresma be merged into this article or section. ... Geography Country Belgium Community Flemish Community Region Flemish Region Province West Flanders Arrondissement Bruges Coordinates , , Area 138. ... Police officer on a bicycle Cycling is a means of transport, a form of recreation and a sport. ... Village Feast by David Teniers the Elder, Accademia Carrara, Bergamo Kermesse (also Kermis or Kerbe), originally the mass said on the anniversary of the foundation of a church and in honour of the patron, the word being equivalent to Kirkmass. ...

An important holiday (which is however not an official public holiday) takes place each year on December 6. This is Sinterklaasdag in Dutch or la Saint-Nicolas in French (English: Saint Nicholas). This is sort of an early Christmas. On December 5 evening before going to bed, kids put their shoes by the hearth with some water or wine and a carrot for Saint Nicholas's horse or donkey. Supposedly St. Nicholas then comes at night and travels down the chimney. He then takes the food and water or wine, puts down presents, goes back up, feeds his horse or donkey, and continues his course. He also knows whether kids have been good or bad. This holiday is especially loved by children in Belgium and the Netherlands. Dutch immigrants imported the tradition into the United States, where Saint Nicholas is now known as Santa Claus. is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Nicholas. ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 For other uses, see Donkey (disambiguation). ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...

See also

• Dutch literature
• List of Belgians
• Europalia
• Architecture of Belgium

This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... This is a list of notable people who either: are or were Belgian citizens during at least one period of their life, were born in Belgium or in the provinces of present-day Belgium, but who were not or are not Belgian citizens (either because Belgium did not exist at... Europalia is a cultural organization, established in Brussels, Belgium in 1969. ... Subcategories There are 3 subcategories in this category, which are shown below. ...

External links

• Belgium portal in Dutch, English, French and German
• Exploring Belgium's cultural identity
• Grooming yourself for Belgian society