CustomsCustoms and and traditionstraditions

in Belgiumin Belgium

Is there a prevailing culture in Is there a prevailing culture in Belgium?Belgium?

Belgium is not a homogeneous country with one Belgium is not a homogeneous country with one national identity. As such, it is therefore difficult to national identity. As such, it is therefore difficult to give a general overview that applies to all give a general overview that applies to all Belgians. Each area will have its own Belgians. Each area will have its own particularities. The three predominant cultures particularities. The three predominant cultures are: 1) in north, Flanders -  primarily Dutch, 2)in  are: 1) in north, Flanders -  primarily Dutch, 2)in  the south, Wallonia - primarily French and 3) the the south, Wallonia - primarily French and 3) the northeast - primarily German influenced. The northeast - primarily German influenced. The following are brief aspects that are applicable to following are brief aspects that are applicable to all areas.all areas.

What are the most famous What are the most famous festivals in Belgium?festivals in Belgium?

Every year May 1Every year May 1stst in Neerpelt ( in in Neerpelt ( in Belgium) European Junior Musical Festival Belgium) European Junior Musical Festival is organized. In this festival young people is organized. In this festival young people play different musical instruments.play different musical instruments.

The main idea of this festival is a chance The main idea of this festival is a chance for young people to show, their musical for young people to show, their musical skills. Also in this festival children learn, skills. Also in this festival children learn, how can music help people communicate. how can music help people communicate.

Couler CaféCouler Café

For the first time in 1990 “Couler For the first time in 1990 “Couler Café” was staged. It regenerates all Café” was staged. It regenerates all of it’s colors, music, scents every year of it’s colors, music, scents every year at weekend in June . This Year the at weekend in June . This Year the festival is going to be celebrated in festival is going to be celebrated in the wonderful “ Tour & Taxis” place in the wonderful “ Tour & Taxis” place in the Brussels’ heart near Arabian the Brussels’ heart near Arabian bunder bazaar. bunder bazaar.

There will be three There will be three evenings dedicates to evenings dedicates to musical themes. Summer musical themes. Summer sky will be slashed by sky will be slashed by spacey dub rhythm, spacey dub rhythm, scrowl rap poetry and scrowl rap poetry and reggae shafts…reggae shafts…

“ “ Couleur Café” – rhythm, exotic Couleur Café” – rhythm, exotic and tolerant atmosphere will last and tolerant atmosphere will last for three days. At the colour for three days. At the colour orchestra you can see ZAP orchestra you can see ZAP MAMA, KASSAV, Salif Keita, Femi MAMA, KASSAV, Salif Keita, Femi Kuti, Urban Species, even the Kuti, Urban Species, even the Belgian rap scene representing Belgian rap scene representing team. team.

Customs of Belgium

Marriage and FamilyThe average Belgian family has two children. Both parents

often work outside the home. At home, they may share some household duties, but women are still generally considered

responsible for many of them and for child care. Married children in Flanders seldom live with their parents, except in

rural areas where families share farmland. In the past, extended families in Wallonia shared a large single house,

but today they tend to live separately. Still, they often remain in the same town or city as the rest of their family.

EatingEating Belgians eat a rich variety of foods, including pork, Belgians eat a rich variety of foods, including pork,

beef, game birds, fish, seafood, cheese, fruit, beef, game birds, fish, seafood, cheese, fruit, vegetables, bread, and soup. Wine, beer, or mineral vegetables, bread, and soup. Wine, beer, or mineral water is often served with meals. Belgium is famous water is often served with meals. Belgium is famous for seafood (such as mussels), chocolate, some 300 for seafood (such as mussels), chocolate, some 300 varieties of beer, waffles, and varieties of beer, waffles, and fritesfrites (fried potatoes)— (fried potatoes)—which Belgians claim to have invented and which are which Belgians claim to have invented and which are sometimes served with mayonnaise. Breakfast sometimes served with mayonnaise. Breakfast consists of a hot drink along with rolls or bread with consists of a hot drink along with rolls or bread with jam or other preserves. At midday, a larger meal is jam or other preserves. At midday, a larger meal is eaten. The evening meal is usually at 7 or 8 PM. eaten. The evening meal is usually at 7 or 8 PM. Belgians take great pride in the quality of their food Belgians take great pride in the quality of their food and the variety of cuisine—from domestically and the variety of cuisine—from domestically developed dishes to those adapted from other developed dishes to those adapted from other cultures. Restaurants offer a wide variety of cultures. Restaurants offer a wide variety of international dishesinternational dishes. .

What cultural symbols are there in Belgium?

• Statue of the Pissing Boy (Manneken-Pis)

• Jazz and saxophone music

• National beer and chocolate

• Belgian flag

What traditional food is most popular?

• Mussels and chips

• Waffles

• Belgian chocolate

What kinds of celebrations are observed in Belgium?

• Festivals

• Carnivals

• Fairs

• Special days

• Parades