Symbolic Marriage for the Unity of Belgium

Duration: 01:03 minutes Upload Time: 07-09-27 22:04:37 User: news6776 :::: Favorites :::: Top Videos of Day

Description: 27.09.2007 in Brussels, Belgium - Symbolic Marriage of 3 Persons (Symbolic for the 3 Languages of Belgium) under the Slogan: 3 talen, 1 ziel, een België 3 langues, 1 âme, une Belgique 3 sprachen, 1 seele, ein Belgien (english: 3 Languages, 1 Soul, One Belgium) Three patriotic Belgian citizens held an unusual 'marriage' in Brussels' central square on Thursday, in a show of unity as rows between linguistic communities threaten federal Belgium. To the question "do you want to continue living together?" Chantal, Patrick and Samuel replied "I do" in Dutch, French and German, the kingdom's three official languages, during a short ceremony opposite the capital's town hall. Watched by a cluster of curious passers-by and journalists, the three 'newlyweds' called on Belgian politicians "to listen more to the man in the street". Differences between the Dutch-speaking Flemish in northern Belgium and the francophone Walloons to the south, the two main linguistic groups, have prevented the formation of a coalition government since a general election was held on June 10."The wish to separate is not in the hearts of the Belgian people," said Patrick Van Der Heyden, playing the role of French-speaking bridegroom. The impressive Grand Place in the centre of Brussels, just a stone's throw from the famous Mannequin pis, was chosen as it was the place where the first Belgian flag was raised in 1830. The political crisis between the country's Flemish majority who want more autonomy for Flanders and the francophones who want to keep the status quo, has led to the appearance of many more flags flying from houses, especially in the capital Brussels, the only area which is officially bilingual. However the flag-waving movement, which largely involves the francophones, who are in the majority in Brussels, was strongly criticised in the major Flemish newspaper De Standaard on Thursday as a sign of "political hysteria." "Clearly a campaign aimed at blaming the Flemish has begun... This can only fan the flames of intolerance," the paper said in an editorial.However the paper continued reassuringly "but we have good news for the French speakers; Flanders had no intention of ending the solidarity with them." French: Quelques citoyens belges ont proclamé jeudi leur attachement à l'unité de la Belgique, ébranlée depuis juin par une longue crise politique, en organisant sur la Grand-Place de Bruxelles un "re-mariage" symbolique entre les trois communautés linguistiques belges. A la question "Voulez-vous continuer à vivre ensemble?", Chantal, Patrick et Samuel ont répondu "Oui, je le veux", en français, néerlandais et allemand, les trois langues officielles du royaume, lors d'une petite cérémonie face à l'Hôtel de Ville.Devant une dizaine de badauds et autant de journalistes, ils ont appelé les "politiciens" à "plus écouter les gens de la rue", alors que les divergences entre partis flamands et francophones empêchent la formation d'un nouveau gouvernement depuis les élections législatives du 10 juin."L'envie de se séparer n'est pas dans les coeurs des Belges", assurait Patrick Van Der Heyden, qui jouait le rôle du "marié" francophone."Dans un couple, il y a parfois des tensions très fortes, mais il faut essayer de transformer les passions en énergie positive", ajoutait l'heureuse élue, Chantal Sand, qui se dit "parfaite bilingue" français-néerlandais.La Grand-Place gothique de Bruxelles, considérée comme l'une des plus belles du monde, avait été choisie parce que c'est là qu'avait été hissé le premier drapeau belge lors de la Révolution de 1830. Les organisateurs ont présenté un autocollant noir-jaune-rouge, les couleurs nationales, frappé du slogan "3 langues, 1 âme, une Belgique".