Walloons and Flemings of Belgium: settlements and housing. Food and clothing. Flanders and Wallonia - Ghent, Belgium Which people together with the Flemings

Belgium is falling apart: the Flemings are tired of living side by side with the Walloons. This is not surprising: after all, for many years, Flanders, where Dutch is spoken, and French-speaking Wallonia have been united only by the monarchy. The economic situation of the regions does not allow them to forget about ethnic and cultural contradictions.

Belgium is, in fact, not a completely natural formation. It is made up of completely different parts that have never had anything in common - neither language, nor culture, nor economy. The Dutch and French have tried to get along for more than a century. But it was difficult for them. Flanders, which had long been in the position of a poor relative, was a backward peasant region. It survived largely due to subsidies from Wallonia, where industry developed. The Flemish region was a kind of vegetable garden, an agricultural appendage of Wallonia, where the industrial revolution unfolded in the 19th century. It was in Wallonia that coal was mined, steel was produced, and railways were built. In political and cultural life, the superiority of the developed French-speaking region was also noticeable.

This situation persisted until the 60s of the last century, when Flanders took a sharp step forward and became an economic leader. Now Wallonia has found itself in the role of a lagging region, says Yuri Rubinsky, head of the Center for French Studies at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

"After the Second World War, Flanders made a breakthrough. The development of Flanders led to the fact that it became richer than the traditionally dominant Wallonia. And now it was no longer the Walloons who considered the Flemish freeloaders, but vice versa. The Flemings say: they are the economic heart and future of the country. In "As a result, the Flemings and Walloons have diverged so much that the same parties are Flemish and Walloon. The most difficult problem is Brussels, where different areas belong to the Flemings and Walloons. And it is quite difficult to govern this city."

But the two regions are ruled by one monarch - perhaps it is the crown that is still keeping the country from falling apart. King Albert II played a significant role in this, who for many years, until his abdication, acted as an arbiter. But after the economic situation changed, this became increasingly difficult. After all, Wallonia continues to rule the roost in political and cultural life, which, according to the Flemings, no longer has any basis for it. This state of affairs once again exposed long-standing contradictions. In Flanders, right-wing radical nationalist movements that put forward a separatist and anti-emigrant program have gained extraordinary popularity.

However, if Flanders expects its own independence to start a new life - both political and economic - then for Belgium this could well be a fatal blow. Wallonia is unlikely to be able to continue to exist as a full-fledged state, says Alexander Tevdoy-Burmuli, associate professor at the Department of European Integration at MGIMO:

“Flanders itself does not plan to join any other country if it secedes. But it is unclear what will happen to Wallonia, which has never been a self-sufficient entity. If there is nationalism in Flanders, then in Wallonia there is practically none. And therefore we can assume that if Belgium will fall apart, Wallonia will be attracted to some country, first of all, here we can talk about France.”

The independence of one region of Belgium could entail a reconfiguration of the entire European space. But hardly anyone in Europe, except Flanders, of course, wants such changes. Therefore, most likely, the country will be kept from collapse by everyone who can influence this situation. Abdicating the throne, Albert II called on his subjects to unity. His son Philip, the new king, promised to continue his father's work and preserve Belgium as a single state. Will it succeed?

From Caesar to... Napoleon

As incredible as it may seem in the space of Europe of the 21st century, the origins of this conflict go back to the times of the Roman Empire, whose border ran along the Rhine. The French-speaking Walloons are descendants of the Romanesque population and are concentrated in the southern part of the country. And the north of present-day Belgium - Flanders - is an area of ​​compact settlement of German-speaking Flemings, into whom Celtic tribes once poured their blood.

After the collapse of the “unifier of Europe of the 19th century” Napoleon, the coalition of his victors began to think about restructuring the possessions of the former French Empire, and then the true pearl of the Kingdom of Burgundy - Belgium - became independent. The Flemings and Walloons were united in one country, without, naturally, having any “otherworldly” intention. Almost all European states at that time were multinational, and this was not given decisive importance.

At the time of independence (the 200th anniversary of which Belgium will soon celebrate), French was declared the only official language, although then, as now, the number of Flemings far exceeds that of the Walloons. French was used everywhere, becoming an important tool for career advancement, while Flemish was “suppressed”, despite the fact that almost 60% of the population considered it native.

Any strengthening of French influence in Flanders was already perceived very sharply by the local population in those days. Even a certain Bruges Matins remained in the annals of history, when poor knowledge of the Flemish language by Francophones literally cost them their lives. A natural reaction to the linguistic “distortion” was the emergence of the Flemish cultural movement, which demanded the equality of the two languages. By the way, this happened in the year when Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels began writing their manifesto.

However, half a century passed before a law was passed in Belgium confirming the principle of bilingualism (but not the equality of languages!). Then another decade passed before laws establishing the equality of Flemish and French were ratified. It was only in the 1963 Constitution that bilingualism was officially enshrined. Based on this, the country's political system was reformed.

Meanwhile, economic, political and ethnocultural aspects were added to the linguistic issue itself, which increased the polarization between communities. The components of the conflict today are so closely intertwined that contradictions manifest themselves in almost all spheres of life.

A fight two centuries long

Director Bruno Dumont recently named his film about the life of modern France (deservedly awarded the Grand Prix of the Cannes Film Festival and the Palme d'Or) with the name "Flanders". Why, in fact, is the painting called “Flanders” and not “Burgundy”, “Normandy”, “Champagne” or “Provence”? Yes, because historical Flanders is located not only in Belgium. In the Middle Ages, Flanders was a single county. But the winds of history have scattered its former territorial unity: today there is Belgian, Dutch and even French Flanders! Our conversation is about the first.

After Belgium gained independence, Wallonia moved forward, developing rapidly due to the coal and metallurgical industries. However, in times of high-tech industries, it lost the palm to Flanders. If before the Second World War Wallonia actually “fed” Flanders, providing the lion’s share of the country’s national product, now the north and south have swapped places. Flanders became the engine of the Belgian economy, and Wallonia was hit by a wave of unemployment.

After the war, there was a “demographic birth boom” in the north, further increasing the share of Flemings in the structure of the Belgian population. The Flemish segment has visibly strengthened in the country’s economic complex as a whole. The gross regional product per capita in Flanders today is almost one and a half times higher than the Walloon one. And in comparison of cities - Flemish Antwerp and Walloon Tuen - three times!

Flanders is noticeably more prosperous than Wallonia in all respects. First of all, in terms of real income per capita: here the gap between the Flemish and Walloon regions reaches almost 1.5 times. The indicator of average life expectancy also acts as an indicator of the uneven social development of the north and south of Belgium. In Flanders it is noticeably higher than in Wallonia for both men and women.

"Louvain conflict"

It shook Belgium almost half a century ago and even then almost led to the collapse of the country. The cause of this conflict was the inability to agree on what language should be taught at the University of Louvain. The conflict was stopped only with the help of subsequent reforms. The first revision of its Constitution in the history of Belgium was carried out: Belgium became a federal state consisting of communities and regions. The existence of three communities in the country was legally established: Flemish, Francophone and German-speaking, and all three languages ​​- French, Dutch and German - became state languages.

Three regions were also constitutionally established: Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels. Regional assemblies were created from members of the then unified national parliament. Communities received broad cultural rights. However, the mistake was that the boundaries of the regions were not clearly defined at that time. It was clear that the politicians wanted to avoid disturbing the situation. But over the years, the problem did not “resolve” on its own, but even worsened. In addition, the declared rights of the regions in the economic sphere turned out to be not as significant as expected, and the leadership of Flanders, already held in the economic field, was not consolidated in the political field. Ten years later, the Constitution was forced to be revised again. Flanders and Wallonia finally received autonomous status. However, in reality, the financial and legislative powers of the regions were expanded slightly: the central government considered it right to leave the main levers of control in its hands.

Who dug up the hatchet?

Recently, a political crisis erupted again in Belgium, which shook the entire country. It was caused by the results of the national parliamentary elections, as a result of which the Christian Democratic and Flemish Party, led by Yves Leterme, one of the most consistent and influential nationalists, won. The cause of the crisis was the desire of this party for the further autonomy of Flanders, and first of all, to reduce its contributions to the federal budget and expand the linguistic boundaries of the Flemish community. Such aspirations were negatively received not only by representatives of Walloon political forces, but also by national structures.

Among the primary parties to the conflict were the Flemish and Walloon nationalist movements. The first, inspired by the ideas of cultural, historical and political revenge (the right-wing party “Vlemish Interest”), having established itself as a monopoly dominant force in Flanders and transforming its political and cultural space, are actively promoting anti-Walloon and separatist ideas throughout Belgium. It was their leader Yves Leterme who said: “Belgium is not a country, but a historical misunderstanding.” And the head of another right-wing party, Vlaams Block (Vlaams Bloc), Philipp Devinter, literally said that “King, beer and chocolate” is a bad foundation for national unity.

The Flemish nationalists are opposed by the Francophone movement in Belgium, the leading party of which is the Democratic Front of Francophones. As analysts note, it is noticeably inferior to its competitors in political strength and passion and is unable to put forward and oppose expansive Flemish nationalism with a clear strategy for both all-Belgian construction and the protection of the culture, language and identity of Francophones.

On the essence of mutual claims

In order to better understand the depth of the problems, we will highlight the main “supporting points” in the points of view of both sides of the conflict.

Dissatisfied with the ongoing "Gallicization" of this part of Flemish Brabant, the Flemings believe that the bilingual constituency of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde should be dissolved; abolish at the government level language benefits for francophones in the Brussels periphery (and especially 6 of its communes, where, thanks to these benefits, the share of francophones increased from 30% to 80%); it is necessary to stop the continued growth of Brussels, absorbing new territories of Flanders; do not solve the problem of high unemployment in Wallonia (it is three times higher compared to Flanders) by subsidizing the population of the latter for the social sector of the former.

To this, analysts also add the traditional reluctance of Francophones to learn the Dutch language, and especially its Flemish dialects. As well as obvious socialist biases in the modern Walloon environment; Walloons have traditionally had a friendlier attitude towards immigrants, most of whom come from (partly) French-speaking countries in Africa. Even the territorial affiliation of some border communes has become a number of serious problems.

Expressing their point of view on the conflict, the Walloons, for their part, “pedal” the topic of oppression of Francophones and a complete ban on the use of the French language in the educational system of Flanders; eliminating the language question in censuses; the demand for the eternal preservation of language privileges in the communes that have them; demands, as the Walloons themselves put it, for the Flemish government to lift the “territorial and linguistic blockade of Brussels.” The Walloons, for their part, put forward the same problem of the territorial affiliation of a number of border communes.

To understand the peculiarities of internal Belgian problems, it should be noted that in this state today there is not only a dual system of administrative division, but also the use of languages ​​in official situations is strictly regulated: none of them has official status throughout the country. Due to real bilingualism, even the names of some settlements and other geographical objects in modern Belgium have two variants: in Flemish the cities sound like Bergen, Namen, Oudeaarde, Gent and Antwerpen, and in Walloon - Mons, Namur, Audenarde, Gand and Anvers. (To complete the picture, it should also be added that in the east of Belgium there is also a partially German-speaking province of Liege, and today there is actually a third language community here).

It was the attempt to split the bilingual constituency of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde that led to the political crisis. The situation was clearly characterized by the fact that Belgian bookmakers even placed bets on how many weeks the next government would last. Belgium unwittingly set a European anti-record: for five months the country lived without a government at all!

Where is the Community going?

According to a sociological survey conducted by the Tell me more institute, the results of which are actively cited by Western media, two-thirds of Flemings no longer want to see Brussels as the capital of their district and linguistic community. The issue of moving the capital of Flanders from Brussels to one of the “purely Flemish cities” is even being actively discussed. Preference is given to northern Antwerp. Nine out of ten Flemings are in favor of him.

At the same time, analysts emphasize, a feature of the long-term confrontation between the parties is that, despite the sporadic crisis situations that arise, the intra-Belgian conflict did not take a violent form, and representatives of both its poles emphasize a peaceful solution to the problem. Fortunately, this is true.

Some Western scientists who study the conflict generally believe that the possible collapse of Belgium will lead to the strengthening of national-cultural identities in the European Union to the detriment of national-state ones. And this will be a natural result of the development of the EU and the regionalization policy it encourages. Since the strengthening of central power in the European Union occurs due to the parallel weakening of national states, up to their collapse and fragmentation, as can be seen in the example of Belgium.

Some researchers, on the contrary, view Flemish-Walloon tensions not only as a conflict, but also as... a possible stimulus for the country's development. It is significant that this is the title of one recent extraordinary article in the Western press under the title “Flemish-Walloon Relations: Conflict or Stimulus for the Development of Belgium?”

On the other hand, the proposed disintegration of Belgium may not suit all EU countries, many of which are faced with problems of ethnic nationalism. The same Spain, Great Britain and France are unlikely to be happy with the new example of regional self-determination. Especially after the Kosovo precedent. If we remember that the unification of Europe itself followed the model of Belgium, then the Belgian split will hit the image of the European Union even harder.

European analysts do not rule out the possibility that neighboring states will also be involved in the Belgian conflict. In particular, for Germany, with a possible solution to the Walloon-Flemish confrontation, the question will arise about the status of the German-speaking lands of Belgium (which were part of Germany before the First World War). Now these regions are part of the Walloon administrative region, but the Belgian Germans have their own community, which has its own parliament and ministry. Theoretically, as Western media write, this area could become another “dwarf state” of Europe. And it is quite possible that he will raise the question of reunification with Germany - no matter how incredible this may sound today. And although the FRG, after its merger with the GDR, undertook, according to the terms of the well-known treaty, “not to expand,” a fundamental change in the situation on the internal borders of European states cannot leave it indifferent to the fate of the Germans “across the Rhine.”

The Netherlands may be involved in the conflict because (as research shows) residents of a number of its southern cities, including Rotterdam, feel closer “to the Flemish population of Antwerp than to the Dutch of Amsterdam.” Therefore, according to European analysts, it cannot be ruled out that a hypothetical declaration of independence by Belgian Flanders will not cause a surge in Flemish separatism in the neighboring Netherlands.

The interests of France may well be justified, since the Walloon administrative region of Belgium includes five French-speaking provinces. With the decline of the coal and metallurgical industries, it has long turned into a subsidized region, the main source of income of which is tourism in the famous Ardennes and historical cities. It cannot be ruled out that a movement for reunification with France, which Belgian politicians feared so much back in the 19th century, may appear in Wallonia.

As we see, not only the fate of Belgium as a state, but also the stability of the “European organism” as a whole really depends on the solution of the Walloon-Flemish conflict.

We wish the Belgians good luck!

Belgium is the kingdom that gave the European Union its capital. According to international statistics, this is the most urbanized state in Europe, not counting the so-called “dwarf ones”. Belgium is a typical example of a small, highly developed European country and at the same time a unique state within the EU. Thanks to its central position in Europe, as well as the experience of combining two key European cultures - Romanesque and Germanic, the country occupies a special position in the European integration system.

Brussels has one of the leading positions in the development and dissemination of a pan-European mentality.

But at the same time, Belgium is the only federal state in Western Europe with such acute ethnopolitical and territorial problems. The small country has turned into a kind of “experimental laboratory” for the EU, and ways to solve many of its problems can become a standard for a common European strategy.

In fact, the main background of the Flemish-Walloon conflict is not at all about what language should be spoken and written in official documents. The root problem, at least according to the Flemings, is the infringement of the rights of residents of the industrial north of the country, inhabited specifically by the Flemish group. The Flemings are demanding more funding for their areas and greater rights to self-determination.

The main danger of the crisis that broke out was that if the Flemish nationalists had “pushed through” the division of the central district, this would have been the first “forceful” action in the history of the country to separate the Walloons and the Flemings. According to the Western press, “the Flemings have never shown such hostility towards their neighbors, so the collapse of the Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde district could become a precedent for the collapse of the entire country.”

The “Savior of Belgium,” as the Western press rightly called him, was the Fleming Herman van Rompuy, a banker, doctor of science, federalist and experienced negotiator. His reign as prime minister did not last even a year, but the wise politician managed to “turn” the helm of the ship “Belgium” and lead it to a safer course. The situation has apparently calmed down. Many believe the reason is the economic crisis, which has shifted attention to other pressing areas. “The Flemings and Walloons,” as the European press writes, “impressed by the real danger to their own wallets, forgot about the imaginary danger to their own national ambitions.” However, with the easing of the financial crisis, the parties again remembered their constant quarrels and started blaming each other.

The further development of the Flemish-Walloon conflict is restrained by such factors as the special “peacekeeping” role of Belgium in the EU, “monarchical federalism”, the image of Brussels as the capital of the country and the de facto European Union. However, the specter of separatism is increasingly haunting Flanders and Wallonia. Flemish nationalists made it clear that “if Scotland gets a pass to the European Union and NATO, they will be next in line to gain state independence.”

Instead of an afterword

Europe has a long history of separatism. However, reflecting on the systemic ethnopolitical conflicts of our time, it is legitimate to state that the deep essence of what is happening in the European Union today is not “old nationalism” in its everyday manifestation. This is a process of a different civilizational level, which is based on the foundation of national identity.

Without a doubt, all this prompts the countries of “old Europe” to draw appropriate conclusions...

Anatoly EGOROV, especially for Kazakhstanskaya Pravda,
collage by Natalia LYALIKOVA
Greece

FLEMINGS, a people in the north of Belgium (provinces of East and West Flanders; number 5.1 million people), in the south of the Netherlands (1,720 thousand people) and in the north of France (in the so-called French Flanders - the areas of Dunkirk and Hazebrouck; 250 thousand. Human). They also live in other countries of Western Europe, America, Africa and Australia. The total number is 7230 thousand people. They speak southern Dutch. Believers are mostly Catholics.

The Flemings are related to the Dutch. The ethnic basis of the Flemings was made up of Frankish, Frisian and Saxon tribes. The Flemings formed the main population of the county of Flanders, one of the most economically developed regions of Europe in the Middle Ages. The formation of the Flemish ethnic group took place in the 15th-16th centuries. After the Dutch Revolution of the 16th century, the Flemings found themselves separated: the northern part of Flanders became part of the United Provinces, liberated from Spanish rule, most of Flanders remained under the rule of Spain, from 1714 - Austria, and in 1797 annexed to France. By decision of the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15, both parts of Flanders were included in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As a result of the Belgian Revolution of 1830, the Flemings, together with the Walloons, created the independent state of Belgium; some Flemings remained part of the population of the Netherlands. The development of industry in Belgium, which affected Flanders to a lesser extent, led to the suppression of Flemish culture by Walloon culture. In the 1840s. the Flemish national movement is born, aimed at reviving the national culture; National literature develops, the Flemish language becomes the official language of Belgium. Since the second half of the 20th century, in the conditions of the rapid economic development of Flanders, the contradictions that arose in the mid-19th century between the Flemings and Walloons on the national-linguistic problem and on the issue of introducing a federal state structure in Belgium have intensified. Since 1993 Belgium has been a federation of the regional communities of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.

In Flanders, artistic crafts are traditionally highly developed - the production of fine linen fabrics, the famous Flemish lace, and metal processing. Traditional settlements are closely located farmsteads. A common type of house is the so-called house with a long gable, combining residential and utility rooms into one elongated building. There is also a house with an enclosed courtyard (cf. Walloons). Unlike Walloon houses, Flemish houses are usually plastered and painted white, pink or yellow. Wooden roof ridge decorations in the form of swan heads are typical. Women's traditional clothing is similar to the Dutch one: a linen shirt with hangers, a linen jacket, a dark bodice, several wide skirts, an apron, a long jacket with a peplum, a large plain or checkered shawl with fringe, a black silk scarf with fringe (fali) that covered the head and top. part of the body (reminiscent of a Spanish mantilla), lush lace caps with decorations made of artificial flowers, beads, ribbons and lace. Traditional food is vegetable and cereal dishes, salted fish, mainly herring, and chicken soup. On holidays, pies and buns are baked, and for each holiday - a special type of cookies in special forms, decorated with ornaments and inscriptions.

Flemish families are larger (usually 3-4 or more children) and patriarchal than Walloon families. Adult children usually live with their parents. For a long time, the remnants of communal relations remained: the customs of mutual assistance, annual common dinners, the position of an elected elder. In cities, guilds and clubs dating back to medieval societies and brotherhoods are preserved, organizing street processions on holidays. The most popular holiday is kermes (day of the patron of a city or village), lasts several days and is accompanied by fairs, archery competitions, torchlight processions and processions with giant dolls depicting heroes of folk tales and legends. Wedding customs are similar to Dutch ones. Rich folklore - songs and legends - has been preserved.

IAA "Lev Gumilyov Center" begins publishing the most interesting works on the analysis of systemic ethnopolitical conflicts of our time. Today we present to you the work carried out using materials from the WORKSHOPCON project group at TNU. V. I. Vernadsky.

The Belgian ethnic conflict is a Walls-Flemish confrontation that arose on the basis of the linguistic factor back in the middle of the 19th century.

So, giving a brief description of this conflict, firstly, it is necessary to note the coexistence on the territory of the Belgian state of two large ethnic groups: the Dutch-speaking Flemings and the French-speaking Walloons. The Walloons are an ethnic group with a total population of 4 million 100 thousand people. The Flemings are a people of the Germanic linguistic group, descendants of the Franks, Saxons and Frisians. The total number is 7 million 230 thousand.

At the time of Belgium's independence (1830), the only official language was French, although, as at present, the number of Flemings outnumbered the Walloons. The natural reaction to this linguistic “distortion” was that already in 1847 a Flemish cultural movement emerged, demanding linguistic equality of the Flemish and French languages. The result of its activities was the introduction of changes to the constitution: in 1963, bilingualism was officially established in Belgium.

Subsequently, the political system was reformed: within the state, two types of federal subjects were formed - cultural communities (Flemish, Walloon and German) and economic regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels).

However, the situation in Belgium does not boil down solely to the linguistic confrontation between the North (Flanders) and the South (Wallonia). The presence of an imbalance in socio-economic development can also be considered a factor increasing the potential for conflict. Until the middle of the twentieth century. Wallonia actually “fed” Flanders, providing the lion's share of Belgium's national product. After the Second World War, North and South changed roles. Flanders turned into the locomotive of the country's economy, and Wallonia was overwhelmed by a wave of unemployment. As a result, discontent on the part of the Flemish population increased, thereby catalyzing separatist sentiments.

Thus, today the situation is such that Belgium, torn by Flemish nationalism, is on the verge of collapse.

"Belgian problem". Chronology.

1830 - declaration of independence of Belgium.
1847 - the emergence of the Flemish cultural movement, which demanded linguistic equality between the Flemish and French languages, “extolling the Flemish past and its glorious historical traditions.”
1898 - a law was passed confirming the principle of “bilingualism” (but not equality of languages).
1920-1930s – ratification of a number of laws establishing equality between the Flemish and French languages.
? XX century — a “demographic birth boom” in the north, contributing to an increase in the share of Flemings in the structure of the Belgian population.
50-60s XX century - strengthening of the Flemish segment in the country's economic complex.
1968 – Louvain crisis: a crisis in the relations between two disparate groups of the population, which almost led to the collapse of the country. The reason was a language conflict: politicians could not agree on what language should be taught at the University of Louvain. The conflict was stopped through subsequent constitutional reforms.
1970 - the first revision of the country's constitution. It legally establishes the existence of three communities: Flemish, Francophone and German-speaking (all three languages ​​became state) and three regions: Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels. However, the boundaries of these regions were not defined.
1971 - communities received broad cultural rights. At the first stage, communities received cultural autonomy. However, the competence of the regions in the economic sphere turned out to be insignificant. Most importantly, Flemish leadership, already achieved in the economic field, was not consolidated in the political field.
1980 - the constitution was revised for the second time. Flanders and Wallonia received autonomy status. Additional amendments to the constitution slightly expanded the financial and legislative powers of the regions. This was followed by the creation of two regional assemblies, drawn from existing members of the national parliament from the constituencies in their respective regions.
1989 - Brussels received regional rights. A regional assembly and government were created there. However, regional parliaments were formed from deputies of the national parliament from the corresponding regions. Consequently, they did not satisfy the demands for autonomy of the Walloon and Flemish sides.
1993 – signing of the Saint-Michel Agreements by the leading political groups of the Flemings and Francophones. They were enshrined in the Belgian Constitution of 1994, article 1 of which states: “Belgium is a federal state consisting of communities and regions.”
Autumn 2007 - 2008 - a government crisis in Belgium caused by the results of national parliamentary elections, as a result of which the Christian Democratic and Flemish Party led by Yves Leterme (one of the most consistent and influential nationalists) won. The cause of the crisis was the HDF's desire for further autonomy of Flanders (reducing Flanders' contributions to the federal budget, expanding the linguistic boundaries of the Flemish community, etc.), which was negatively received by both representatives of Walloon political forces and representatives of national structures.

Parties to the conflict.

Primary parties:

A) Flemish nationalist movement:

Inspired by the ideas of cultural, historical and political revenge, representatives of the Flemish nationalist movement (represented by right-wing Flemish parties, the most influential of which is the Flemish Interest (“Vlaams Belang”) of Philippe de Winter with a support base in Antwerp, are also increasingly inclined to accept the arguments of the right-wing Flemings - “centrists”, the New Flemish Alliance (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie), having established themselves as the monopoly dominant political force in Flanders and transforming its political and cultural space for themselves, are actively promoting anti-Walloon and separatist ideas throughout Belgium, thereby representing the most active subject of the ethno-conflict under consideration.

B) Walloon nationalist movement:

The Francophone Movement of Belgium (the leading party of which is the Democratic Front of Francophones) is noticeably inferior to its Flemish competitors in political strength and passion and is unable to put forward and oppose expansive nationalism with a clear strategy for both the common Belgian construction and the protection of the culture, language and identity of the Francophones.

A feature of the long-term confrontation between these parties is that, despite emerging crisis situations, the conflict did not take on a violent form. Representatives of both poles of the conflict emphasize a peaceful solution to the problem.

Secondary, tertiary sides:

A specific feature of the “Belgian conflict” is the inconsistency, from the point of view, of its assessment by subjects interested in its resolution.

On the one hand, the expected collapse of Belgium, and thus the strengthening of national-cultural identities to the detriment of national-state ones, is a natural result of the development of the European Union and the regionalization policy it encourages. The strengthening of the central power of the EU occurs due to the parallel weakening of national states, their fragmentation, as can be seen in the example of Belgium - right up to their collapse.

On the other hand, the proposed disintegration of Belgium may not suit all EU countries, many of which are faced with problems of ethnic nationalism. In particular, Spain, France, and Great Britain are unlikely to be happy with a new example of regional self-determination. Especially after the Kosovo precedent. After all, the unification of Europe itself followed the model of Belgium, which means that the Belgian split will also have a strong impact on the image of the EU.

It is impossible not to note the likelihood of neighboring states being involved in the “Belgian conflict”:

Firstly, Germany, since with a possible solution to the Walloon-Flemish confrontation through separation, the question arises about the status of the German-speaking regions of Belgium. Currently they are part of the Walloon administrative region. However, Belgian Germans have their own German-speaking community, which has its own parliament and ministry. Theoretically, this area could become another “dwarf state” of Europe. Or he might raise the question of reunification with Germany. In the latter case, Berlin has a chance to regain the region lost after World War II. But this violates the terms of the Moscow Treaty of 1990, under which Germany promised not to expand after the reunification of the GDR and West Germany. European countries may recall their fears of “German expansionism.”

Secondly, the Netherlands, which is due to the fact that the population of the southern Dutch cities of Dordrecht and Rotterdam feels closer to the Flemish population of Antwerp than to the Dutch of Amsterdam. It cannot be ruled out that the declaration of Flemish independence will cause a surge in Flemish separatism in the Netherlands.

Thirdly, France. The Walloon administrative region of Belgium includes five French-speaking provinces. With the decline of the coal and metallurgical industries, it has long turned into a subsidized region. The main source of income is tourism in the Ardennes and historical cities. It is quite possible that a movement for reunification with France, which Belgian politicians of the 19th century so feared, will appear in Wallonia.

Thus, we can state that not only the fate of Belgium as a state, but also the stability of the “European organism” as a whole directly depends on the resolution of the Walloon-Flemish conflict.

For those who have never been to Belgium and have heard about this country no more than what is heard from domestic TV, it does not stand apart - just think, just another little thing with an ambition. What are the recent cartoon scandals worth? By the way, one of the first comics in the history of comics (pardon the pun), depicting Soviet power in blue-black colors, was called “Tintin in the Land of the Soviets,” and was created precisely in Belgium, so the practice of drawing obscene political Belgians, one might say, have inappropriate pictures in their blood.

But once you dig a little deeper, you realize: it’s a little thing, but not a simple one. Are there many other countries in the world in which the internal border dividing the state in two is almost as strong as the external ones? Only North and South Korea come to mind, but there the situation is diametrically opposite - one nation divided into two states. In Belgium, two nations have to coexist, and both of them are not too enthusiastic about such a neighborhood. In the north is Flanders. In the south is Wallonia. And there are almost more differences between them than similarities.

Flanders is inhabited by Flemings who speak Dutch (although, according to locals, they are terribly offended by this and prefer to call their language Flemish). Flemish life and cuisine are quite close to Dutch, although they have their own quite recognizable Belgian flavor. However, they are not too enthusiastic about the idea of ​​unification with the Netherlands. As one middle-aged Flemish woman told me, “we were already together, and we didn’t like it.” In Flanders they believe that the Flemings are better than the Walloons.

Wallonia is inhabited by the Walloons, who speak French (although there is a Walloon language, interest in it has almost died out). Walloon life and cuisine are close to French... Well, you already know about the Belgian flavor. Almost every second Walloon is in favor of unification with France. In Wallonia they believe that the Walloons are better than the Flemings.

Flanders and Wallonia brew different, but equally incomparable beers.

It is clear that it is almost impossible to maintain balance in such a difficult situation. Therefore, both the political and economic advantage in Belgium is now completely on the side of Flanders. The region, home to much of Belgium's tourism, education, finance and high-tech industry, is the object of envy, or at least malice, from its neighbors to the south. This was not always the case: a hundred years ago, Wallonia reigned supreme in Belgium, where the coal mining industry and heavy industry were concentrated - areas that were in great demand in the era of wars, which was the 20th century for all of Europe.

Can the Flemings be blamed for the fact that, having seized real power in a country where their native language was not recognized even in the last century, they allow certain excesses? Can the Walloons be blamed for the fact that, having failed to rebuild in time and having fallen into economic decline, they dream of living in France? Probably not. We would like to sort out our national problems.

Coming to Belgium as a tourist, you don’t notice this situation - or at least it doesn’t catch your eye. There are no torchlight processions and “beat the Flemish!” graffiti on the streets, and French-language literature is not burned in the squares of Bruges. But if you talk to the locals, you can feel some tension. And, of course, moving from Flanders to Wallonia, you realize the enormous difference between these two regions and their cities. It's like you're in another country.

I took these photos in Ghent, the last Flemish city on our route. It is a major port (as), an educational center (as), a popular tourist city (as). It is full of attractions and has its own charm, without which the attractions are useless. Ghent is incredibly beautiful. All I can say bad about Ghent is that here in the cafe they sold me a terrible croissant. This is the only fly in the ointment in a barrel of fragrant honey. If you're in Flanders, don't miss it.

After Ghent we moved towards Liege, in north-eastern Wallonia. I will post photos of Liege and the thoughts it inspired in me in the next issue. Cheer up!