Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us September 14, 2005 Food & History Independent Belgium came late Jeff Cheek Belgium is both an old country and at the same time a young one. The name derives from the Celtic Belgae tribes Julius Caesar conquered 2,000 years ago. Caesar wrote of them in his history of the Gallic Wars. For the next eighteen centuries, the land was successively ruled by Rome, Burgundy, Spain, Austria and France. In 1815, after the Napoleonic Wars, Belgium was given to The Netherlands. Fifteen years later, in 1830, the Belgians broke away and proclaimed themselves the independent Kingdom of Belgium. With only 11,787 square miles, it is about two thirds as large as the Dutch kingdom. Belgium is actually two states. The northern half speaks Flemish, a Dutch dialect; the southern half French. To mitigate linguistic tensions, the country is divided into ten provinces. Half speak Flemish, the other half French, while the federal district around the capital, Brussels, is officially bilingual. When I requested information about their national anthem, the Belgian Embassy included a map. Bilingualism is part of all official publications. The North Sea is printed twice, as Noordzee and Mer Du Nord. Brussels is Brussel and Bruxelle. Geographical names in Flemish (Dutch) or Walloon (French) provinces are given in only the designated language. The Belgians declared their independence on Oct. 4, 1830. There was some resistance from The Netherlands. Their national day is 21 July. This was the date in 1831 when their first king, Leopold I, took the oath of office as a constitutional monarch. The dynasty he founded still reigns. The national flag they adopted is three vertical stripes: Black, yellow and red. This honors the old Dutchy of Brabant, which had hoisted these colors in 1789 when the Belgians revolted, unsuccessfully, against Austrian rule. These national birthpains also impacted their national anthem. It was rewritten twice to conform to changes in foreign relations. “La Brabanconne” was first sung in a theater in Brussels on Sept. 12, 1830. The country was still part of The Netherlands. The hymn pledges loyalty to the Dutch House of Orange, providing their rule would ripen into a Tree of Liberty. When this did not happen, “Jenneval” (the code name of the author, Chevalier Dechez) rewrote the lyrics: “The proud, brave people of Brabant, Fighting unflinchingly, Your shot will free you from, The shameful spectre of the Dutch.” Conflict lasted only a few months and the two neighbors have enjoyed two centuries of peace and mutual respect. In 1860, the Belgians decided the harsh language about the Dutch should be removed from their anthem, reflecting the long standing friendship with their neighbors. Charles Rogier wrote the words, Francois Van Campenhout the music, for the present version. “After centuries of slavery, Belgians, arising from the tomb, Have regained their courage, Their name, rights and their flag.” Belgium also gave us Brussels sprouts. The best way to serve them is with Lemon-Butter Sauce. Ingredients 18 or 20 sprouts 6 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons lemon juice Preparation Steam Brussels sprouts until done. Add lemon juice to butter, mix well, then toss sprouts with sauce, making sure each sprout is coated. Serve warm. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams