Flanders celebrates its history with war memorial, music and dancing

Across Flanders, people have been celebrating Flemish Community Day, which marks the 1302 defeat of a battalion of French cavalry in Kortrijk by a militia from the cities of Flanders. Since 1973, the day has been a public holiday in Flanders.
 
The official commemoration took place at the Ijzertoren in Diksmuide, West Flanders, where minister-president Geert Bourgeois laid a wreath from his government in memory of the victims of the First World War. The 11 July celebrations were not so much a commemoration of a medieval battle, he said, but a link to all Flemings: “Those of 100 years ago, those of today and those 100 years in the future.”

In the main celebrations in Brussels, 11,000 people gathered on Muntplein for Brussel Danst (pictured), a series of events organised by Muntpunt including guided walks, dance battles, a tango class and a concert on the Grote Markt featuring Discobaar A Moeder and Bart Peeters.

“Today, once again, Brussels was the capital of Flanders’ celebrations,” said Sven Gatz, Flemish minister for culture and Brussels. “Brussels showed her most beautiful gems during the sold-out guided walks and was the stage for dance, music and singing enjoyed by thousands of visitors.”

In Antwerp, the public was treated to a free performance by the Ketnet kids’ summer tour on the Groenplaats, and Vlaanderen Feest on the Grote Markt, featuring radio personality Peter Van de Veire.  On the bill were the new K3, Will Tura and Sam Samang.

Elsewhere, hundreds of neighbourhood committees, local authorities and associations from Aalst to Zwijndrecht organised parties, including tap-dancing demonstrations, choirs and fireworks.

Photo: Lies Engelen for Muntpunt