Belgium history and culture

Experience eight nights delving deep into the history, art and gastronomy of these two culture rich destinations as you unveil the compelling moments of wwii in ardennes with a war historian, immerse yourself within timeless european art with a passionate curator in amsterdam and sample the sweeter things in life with worldclass. Belgian food and culture food culture and tradition. Belgium has been surrounded by powerful rulers for thousands of years. Festivals focus on regional history and the celebration of the seasons. Until the eighth century, conquests and divisions modified the borders of these kingdoms. Belgium, officially the kingdom of belgium, is a federal state in western europe. Bc 54bc eburons, a belgian tribe under the command of king ambiorix, won victory against the roman legion 53bc caesar claimed to have wiped out the celtic eburones. The first neolithic culture to reach belgium was the linear pottery culture a. Like many of the worlds countries, belgium has a long history. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about belgiums geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages.

The country is known for moules frites mussels served with french fries as well as waffles, a popular snack item. The earlier part of the 1900s involved devastation by two world wars, but now belgium is standing taller than ever. In 1948 belgium became a cosignatory to the benelux customs union along with the netherlands and luxembourg. Belgium overview customs and culture diet and recipes language religion students life interesting facts. Chocolatiers such as neuhaus, godiva, and leonidas, among others, are. Belgium and the political entities that preceded it have been rich with historical and cultural associations, from the gothic grandeur of its medieval university and commercial cities and its small, castledominated towns on steepbluffed winding rivers, through its broad traditions in painting and music that marked one of the high points of the northern renaissance in the 16th century, to its. The monasteries in the country were the hub of productions in carolingian art, ottonian art, and later romanesque mosan art. History of belgium lonely planet travel information. This later became the benelux economic union in 1958 and in 2008 the treaty between the three countries was renewed and revised under the title of the benelux union. Its name is derived from the belgae, a celtic tribe that lived in the area in the first century bce.

Partly as a result, in 1936, belgium reverted to its former policy of neutrality, trying not to provide nazi germany with an excuse to invade. Belgium takes its name from the belgae, the early celtic tribes who had settled in the area of the low countries during prehistoric times. Belgian chocolate is renowned around the world and may be considered a cultural institution. Culture of belgium history, people, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social, marriage abo. Belgium history, language and culture history of belgium. The romans incorporated the area and named the new province gallia belgica. Guide to belgian history, culture, tourist attractions, castles, amusements parks, zoos, restaurants and more. Save belgium s interesting, varied, and frequently violent history goes a long way to explaining the equally varied linguistic and cultural aspects of this small country. For most of its history, what is now belgium was either a part of a larger territory, such as the carolingian empire, or divided into a number of smaller states, prominent among them being the duchy of. Belgium history background rule, century, cultural, and. Belgian painters have been among the greatest in europe. It is a tricolor with black, yellow and red vertical. Belgium is a country where people talk about recent history the last 150 years or soreally quite intensively, in a way which is gratifying to historians. Surrounded by france, germany and england, this little country has seen many wars and attempts at accession, the last being in 1940 when germany took over the entire country in three weeks.

The benelux economic union is created between belgium, the netherlands, and luxembourg to promote free movement of workers, goods, and services. A glimpse into the history of belgiums origins and the revolution that came to shape a nation and its identity within europe. Belgiums famous dutchversusfrench language divide was established in the middle ages when roman emperor charlemagne was forced to divide his kingdom between his three grandsons. The history of belgium extends before the founding of the modern state of that name in 1830, and is intertwined with those of its neighbors. In spite of its troubled centuries, belgium has influenced european art, classical music, literature, and the science of printing considerably, and its peoples pride in their. Belgium is a country where people talk about recent historythe last 150 years or soreally quite intensively, in a way which is gratifying to historians.

Outstanding in the 15th century were hubert and jan van eyck. The country of belgium gets its name from the original settlers of the area. In the late neolithic, belgium was recolonised by people from seineoisemarne culture, which flourished in the fagnefamene region of wallonia from 3,000 bce. A few months later, the brewery would receive its first batch of twostory frenchoak foeders, transforming its. Part three the arrival of the powerful dukes of burgundy in the 15th century brings wealth and power to the low countries, but the division between belgium and holland unravels it all. Belgium was one of the first countries to join the european union and along with the association of several other european organisations, more importantly, it became the headquarters of the european economic community 1957. History of belgium pop culture wiki fandom powered by. Belgian culture is very much a product of belgium history, and as brussels continues to become a central base for the growing european union, belgiums international role will only increase. Dutch is spoken in flanders, the northern half of the country, and french is spoken in the. Until the mid20th century, belgian writers more often wrote in french even if they were flemish, due both to the thendominant position of that language in worldwide culture and its dominant position within belgium itself e. Belgium has an area of 30,528 square kilometres 11,787 sq mi. A few months later, the brewery would receive its first batch of twostory frenchoak foeders, transforming its sour beer program. The netherlands and belgium are a match made in heaven.

This inaugural batch was aged in a collection of frenchoak wine barrels. Discover the captivating history, language and culture of belgium. Belgium s population of 10 million is divided between the flemish 55%, the walloons 33%, and various other groups 10%, including moroccans, turks, and germans. Culture crossing culture crossing is an evolving database of crosscultural information about every country in the world. Archaeological finds prove that in the prehistoric times, long before the neolithicagricultural northwestern europe was inhabited by the socalled neanderthals flint tools of hunters and fishermen dating ca. Business culture in belgium is characterised by business communication, business etiquette, business meeting etiquette, and worklifebalance. Belgiums history of numerous conquests by neighboring powers has given rise to strong cultural pluralism. The worlds fair in belgium, also known as expo 58, was the 11th worlds fair held by belgium. Belgium is a federal state, consisting of its three language communities that are responsible for the control of culture and education, and its three regions that are responsible for controlling the economic development, infrastructure, and environment.

It has the headquarters of the european union, nato and some other famous organisations. Nowadays when people talk about belgium, the first thoughts that come to their mind are bruges, chocolate, waffles, fries, beer, and brussels as the center of the eu. Infoplease has everything you need to know about belgium. In the central and southern regions, the germanic invaders formed small kingdoms and adopted their subjects culture. Belgium as a settled region dates back to roman times when it was named belgica. Belgian culture involves both the aspects shared by all belgians regardless of the language. Unique belgium content for tourists, students, business or those interested in our world. Belgian culture involves both the aspects shared by all belgians regardless of the language they speak and the differences between the main cultural communities.

If thats not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. A core element of belgian nationalism was the scientific study of its national history. People are not trying to stage a civil war by other means, they are trying to talk about the way in which belgium means something and why it was, for example, that so many belgians got. Tourist destinations cover all the major cities, historic towns, quaint stone villages, medieval castles, chateaux and abbeys. Belgium overview customs and culture diet and recipes language religion students life. History in medieval times the sea flooded the area around presentday bruges, carving out channels and waterways. The history of new belgium brewing new belgium brewing. It became a member of the european union eu upon the signing of the maastricht treaty in 1992 and, along with 10 other member countries, adopted the euro as the national currency on january 1, 1999. The lbk and blicquy cultures disappeared and there is a long gap before a new farming culture, the. Artistic and literary culture in belgium began a revival towards the late 19th century. Sep 22, 2010 a brief history of the beatles duration.

Flemish culture came to northern belgium as a consequence of the germanic invasions of the fourth century. History, language and culture in belgium world travel guide. Its history is a long story of other nations marching over belgian soil, each leaving an imprint upon the people and their traditions. Culture crossing culture crossing is an evolving database of cross cultural information about every country in the world. Lbk, which expanded from germany circa 5,200 bce see prehistoric migration maps. Belgium and the political entities that preceded it have been rich with historical and cultural associations, from the gothic grandeur of its. Baldwin the iron arm, the first count of flanders, built a castle as protection from viking raids, and gradually a town grew up. Belgium has remained a major advocate of european political and economic integration. Belgium is often called the battleground of europe because so many battles were fought on this land.

Part three the arrival of the powerful dukes of burgundy in the 15th century brings wealth and power to the low countries, but the division between belgium and holland unravels it. This page will also provide useful information on internship and student placements, cost of living, and social media guide. Its population of 970,000 is employed largely by governmental organizations. Belgiums long and rich cultural and artistic heritage is. Belgian literature was more cohesive in the past but is now divided between a flemish literature and a belgian francophone literature. It has long been a kingdom, although nowadays the belgian royal family lives in comparative normality outside the capital. Food and culture in belgium in 1830, belgium, a small heavily populated country bordering on france, germany, and luxembourg, detached itself from the netherlands and became an independent nation. The sage encyclopedia of music and culture presents key concepts in the study of music in its cultural context and provides an introduction to. The country guides to culture allow people from all walks of life to share essential tips with each other about how to navigate our increasingly borderless world with savvy and sensitivity.

Belgium is a country in northwest europe whose name derives from its inhabitants during roman times, the belgae, a mix of celtic and germanic peoples. Known as the treaty of verdun and signed in ad 843, it effectively split his territories up into the early. During the middle ages and until the 17th century, the country was a hub for culture and commerce, and a favorite central location. Belgium has a long and colorful history of political and cultural upheavals. The best books on belgium five books expert recommendations. Belgian history starting in the 1850s, belgians left the economic hardship of their homeland and ventured to the united states and northeast wisconsin for better opportunity.

Belgiums long and rich cultural and artistic heritage is epitomized in the paintings of pieter bruegel, the elder, jan van eyck, hans memling, dieric bouts, peter paul rubens, rene magritte, and paul delvaux see also flemish art. Belgium s strong tradition of fine cuisine is expressed in its large number of toprated restaurants. It most famously showcased the atomium, a giant construction shaped like a microscopic iron crystal. Over the centuries, belgium has been invaded by almost every other european peopleincluding the romans, vikings, spanish, french, germans, and dutcheffectively becoming a meeting point for. The court had a palace in dijon but philip ruled the kingdom from brussels, earning the title conditor belgii belgiums founder. The country guides to culture allow people from all walks of life to share essential tips with each other about how to navigate our increasingly borderless world with. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about belgium s geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. Most belgians view their culture as an integral part of european culture. History of bruges lonely planet travel information. A brief history of belgium spainexchange country guide. As in 1914, this failed, and belgium was occupied by the. The belgae lived in the area of belgium until they were conquered by the roman empire in 100 bc.

During the renaissance, belgian artists produced some excellent works of art. In spite of its troubled centuries, belgium has influenced european art. While these stereotypes are wellknown around the world, few are familiar with the history of belgium and the origins of its name. The exhibition site is now an attraction with miniatures, called minieurope. Over the centuries, belgium has been invaded by almost every other european peopleincluding the romans, vikings, spanish, french, germans, and dutcheffectively becoming a meeting point for the germanic cultures of northern europe and the latin cultures of the south. Trade came via the nearby village of damme and its waterway, the zwin. Although presentday belgium can aptly be described as a nation tied to its traditions, its very culture sprang from a pastiche of foreign influences. Belgium s famous dutchversusfrench language divide was established in the middle ages when roman emperor charlemagne was forced to divide his kingdom between his three grandsons. Belgiums interesting, varied, and frequently violent history goes a long way to explaining the equally varied linguistic and cultural aspects of this small country. During its history of over 2000 years, the region has almost continuously been occupied by foreign powers. Belgian culture is very much a product of belgium history, and as brussels continues to become a central base for the growing european union, belgium s international role will only increase. Also during the first century, the romans invaded the area and belgium was controlled as a roman province for nearly 300 years. Belgium history facts about belgium destination360. Culture of belgium history, people, women, beliefs, food.