Come to Belgium

Let’s have a look on it’s history!

Belgium was originally a territory populated by the Celts. The Belgians entered history 2,000 years ago when Julius Caesar mentioned them in his book: « Commentaries on the Gallic War ». « Of all people of Gaul the Belgians were the bravest » he wrote in order to justify the 5 years it took to conquer the region (in 51 BC).

Then the various states between future France and Germany were gathered in a single state by the dukes of Burgundy (1384-1443). These territories were named the Netherlands (Belgica in Latin). In the 16th century the Netherlands became independent. After being part of France and the Netherlands, the Belgians took their independence on October 4th, 1830.

About Belgians, it is quite difficult to describe the Belgian population since it is divided into three communities, each of which speaking a different language. Nevertheless a considerable number of characteristics can be found in most Belgians.

They are generally said to be good hosts and know how to enjoy life. The innumerable cafés and restaurants prove it. Besides, they are considered to be good workers.

Family is one of the basic values of Belgian society. Consequently family life is very important. For example your host family will certainly eat dinner every evening all together and week-ends are dedicated to family activities.

The society is based on solidarity and the social security system works perfectly. Family allowance, pension, medical insurance, disability benefit, unemployment benefit and paid leave are distributed to those who are eligible. The health care is among the best in the world.

School

Belgian educational system depends on the 3 communities: the French community, the Flemish community and the German-speaking community.

There are 2 sectors: the private sector and the public sector.
There are 2 education networks: catholic schools and official schools.
Nursery schools for children between 2 and 6 years old are not compulsory.

Primary schools for children between 6 and 12 years old last 6 years and are compulsory.

Secondary schools are for teenagers between 12 and 18 years old. It counts three grades that last 2 academic years. During first grade every pupil receives the same education program. The pupils choose the foreign languages. When they reach the second grade, they have the possibility to continue their curriculum in a general, technical, artistic or professional school.

Exchange students usually attend the 5th or 6th grade of secondary school to be around students of the same age. School usually starts at 8:30 and ends at 16:00. There is neither school on Wednesday afternoon nor on Saturday. The Academic year begins in September and ends in June.

Comics

Around Brussels, have a look at the walls of the houses; you will discover a lot of frescos dedicated to the Belgian cartoon characters.

Tintin: Every year three million Tintin books are sold throughout the world. The adventures of this young reporter and his dog have been translated into fifty-eight languages and 22 films have been out of the books.

Spirou: With his faithful companions Fantasio, a journalist, and Spip, Spirou travels the world seeking always more unusual adventures. Spirou is also the first real popular magazine devoted to comics trips.

Lucky Luke: the cowboy who pulls the trigger faster than his shadow was translated into 30 languages for a total of 250 million copies sold around the world.

The Smurfs: those happy and carefree little blue dwarfs, living in mushrooms deep in the forest need to escape the traps laid by Gargamel.

Food

Belgian chocolate: the Belgian chocolate is famous all around the world. In 1912, Jean Neuhaus, a Belgian confectioner created the praline: a mouth full of filled chocolate.

French fries: the so-called French-fries could be called Belgian fries. In every corner of Belgium, you will find a French fries stall. Most families eat fries once a week. Mussels and French fries is a famous dish too.

Waffles: The first thing that the foreigners try when they arrive must be the Waffle. There are three kinds of waffles: the soft waffle that is eaten cold, the Brussels waffle that is eaten hot with whipped cream, chocolate or ice-cream, and the Liège waffle that is eaten hot or cold.

Beer: with more than 700 sorts of beers, we can say that it is a national drink. Some of them are still hand-crafted.

Famous Figures

Music: Angèle was born in Linkebeek, near Brussels, to a multi-talented family of performers. The singer has also been vocal about feminist issues through her music. Her song 'Balance ton quoi' powerfully addresses sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual consent and the prevalence of sexism in rap music.
Paul Van Haver, better known by his stage name Stromae is a Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter and producer. Stromae came to wide public attention in 2009 with his song "Alors on danse", which became a number one in several European countries.

Sport: Nafissatou "Nafi" Thiam is a Belgian athlete specializing in multi-event competition. Thiam is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, winning the heptathlon event at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics. She is the only Belgian athlete, male or female, to successfully defend an Olympic title and only the second woman after to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the event.

Painting: René Magritte was a surrealist painter well known for playing with the reality. His work influenced artists' generation like the Beetles. Rubens was a Flemish Baroque Painter. His masterpiece, The Massacre of the Innocents was sold for $76.2 million in 2002.

Writing: Since 1992, Amélie Nothomb has been writing novels for which she has been rewarded. Two of her novels have already been adapted to the cinema: Hygiène de l'assassin and Stupeur et tremblements. The most translated works in the world after the Bible are the books of the Belgian author Georges Simenon called Inspector Maigret.

Brussels

The capital is famous for its architecture (gothic, Art Nouveau and Art Déco). The Grand-Place is on the list of the UNESCO heritage. Soak up the atmosphere and walk around the place until you find Manneken Pis: a bronze statue representing a little boy having a pee. A legend says that Manneken Pis saved the city from a fire by urinating on the flames. Not far from Brussels, you can see the Atomium. It is like the Eiffel tower for the Belgians. Monument representing a magnified iron molecule, it was specially designed for the World Exhibition in 1958.

Liège

Formerly the town was an important economic center in Europe. Today, Liège is the favorite place to go out. The characteristic districts, the river Meuse, which transects from South to North, the abrupt and wooded hills surrounding it as well as its marked relief, providing a multitude of original perspectives give the city an exceptional charm.

Bruges and Ghent

Bruges and Ghent are well known for their medieval cultural heritage. Both cities are crossed by canals, and are unique in the world. No wonder why people call Bruges the "Venice of the North". More than this, the historic Center of Bruges is an outstanding example of a medieval historic city classified in the UNESCO heritage

The Ardenne

Situated in the south-east of Belgium, the forest is one of nature's unspoiled area, rich in fauna and flora. The government has developed the region to able people to take a walk. On Sunday, lots of families go there for a walk. There you can visit the "Grottes de Hans", you can taste beer and cheese made in the Chimay abbey, or lounge through the streets of Durbuy, a charming village.

The North Sea

The Belgian coast has a length of 65 kilometers. On the sandy coastline are 15 resorts, each with its own character and unique atmosphere.

Ostende is the easiest Town to reach by train. There you can go for a ride along the seawall using a bicycle or a « cuistax », a kart without motor.

Antwerp, is the second largest port harbour of Europe, and has yearly naval festivities.

Holidays

Here are the Belgian public holidays and the official school holidays

1st January : New Year's Day
February or March, 2 weeks : Carnival holidays
March or April, 2 weeks : Easter holidays
first Monday following the full moon after the 21st march : Easter
Monday 1st May : Labor Day
Thursday 40 days after Easter : Ascension Day
Monday, 7th Monday after Easter : Pentecost
July and Angust : Summer holidays
21st July : National Day
15th August : Assumption of Mary
November, 2 weeks : All Saints holidays
1st November : All Saints' Day
11th November : Armistice Day
December, 2 weeks : Christmas holidays
25 th December : Christmas