- Daily & Weekly newsletters
- Buy & download The Bulletin
- Comment on our articles
Related articles
Recent
Popular
City of Brussels gets controversial new logo
The City of Brussels has a new logo, featuring the image of its patron saint, Michael, stylised into something similar to the logo of cartoon character Batman. But that’s not the only thing about the logo that is controversial: The choice of the letters BXL does not sit well with Flemish opposition parties CD&V, N-VA and Vlaams Belang, writes brusselnieuws.be.
On Thursday, Brussels residents received a leaflet with the new logo in their mailbox, report La Libre Belgique and La Derniere Heure. The archangel Michael, patron saint of Brussels since the 13th century, is recognisable, but the design closely resembles the Batman symbol.
However, it is primarily the choice of the letters BXL to represent Brussels that has caused a stir among the local Dutch-speaking population. "The future of the city is apparently French," says Johan Van den Driessche (N-VA)
Vlaams Belang is also unhappy about the new logo, calling it "an insult to the Flemings in the capital”. A spokesperson for the party said it was not surprised that the two Flemish ministers Ans Persoons (SP.A) and Els Ampe (Open VLD) had agreed to the use of BXL instead of, say, BRU because they “rarely consider the Flemish point of view”.
Former minister Brigitte Grouwels was equally unimpressed with the new logo: "The abbreviation BXL was used in the 1960s by the FDF," she said in reference to the Francophone Democratic Federalists, whose aim was the expansion of the linguistic rights of French-speakers. "Don’t the Flemish ministers remember their history anymore?" Grouwels asked, while urging the council to replace BXL with BRU.
"As a Belgian and European capital, the City of Brussels should present itself as an open meeting place between the various urban communities," Grouwels added.
Brussels mayor Yvan Mayeur (PS) defended the choice. "Tests showed that young Dutch-speakers also use the abbreviation BXL. Otherwise we would not have chosen it.”
The cost of the new logo - €80,000 - also met with a considerable amount of protest. Similar discussions took place two years ago, when about €60,000 was spent on the creation of a new logo for Wallonia.
Comments
These language squabbles are so tiresome, so childish and so typically Belgian. BRU is the brand name of a water. BXL should be recognisable by even non-Belgians. Amazing what this non-elected mayor has been able to push through at tax payers' expense,
@ANON2 -- Temper, temper!... Got a solution in mind that isn't quite so negative?...
Anon2: this isn't a "language squabble" it's just political nonsense from the NV-A and the racist Vlaams Belang, what else would you expect from them?
As for the cost of the logo, well, things cost money.
BRU is already taken - by a mineral water brand.
@R. Harris --- Hadn't those who brand others as 'racists' better look up skeletons in their own cupboards every now and then?...
Acsonline: The Vlaams Belang is proud of its racist policies; no longer being the Vlaams Blok didn't change anything.
@ R. Harris -- There is no need to be so sensitive about that particular brand of nationalism : you will find “centre-right”, “right” and “extreme right” in politics everywhere. – As to “language squabbles” and related features: the Irish say “only the Irish understand the Irish”; same thing here. But the higher on the social scale, the more languages people will speak. All part and parcel of your 'savoir-vivre' somehow.