History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 25

The number of Dutch-speaking Flemish people in the Capital Region is estimated to
be between 11% and 15% (official figures do not exist as there is no language census
and no official subnationality). According to a survey conducted by the Université
Catholique de Louvain in Louvain-La-Neuve and published in June 2006, 51% of
respondents from Brussels claimed to be bilingual, even if they do not have Dutch as
their first language. They are governed by the Brussels Region for economics affairs
and by the Flemish Community for educational and cultural issues.
As of 2005, Flemish institutions such as Flanders' government, parliament, etc.
represent the Flemish Community and the Flemish region. The region and the
community thus de facto share the same parliament and the same government. All
these institutions are based in Brussels. Nevertheless, both bodies (the Community
and the Region) still exist and the distinction between both is important for the people
living in Brussels. Members of the Flemish parliament who were elected in the
Brussels Region cannot vote on affairs belonging to the competences of the Flemish
Region.
The official language for all Flemish institutions is Dutch. French enjoys a limited
official recognition in a dozen municipalities along the borders with French-speaking
Wallonia, and a large recognition in the bilingual Brussels Region. French is widely
known in Flanders, with 59% claiming to know French according to a survey
conducted by the Université catholique de Louvain in Louvain-La-Neuve and
published in June 2006.
POLITICS
Main article: Politics of Flanders
Many new political parties during the last half century were founded in Flanders: the
nationalist Volksunie of which the extreme-right nationalist Vlaams Blok (Vlaams
Belang) split off, and that later dissolved into SPIRIT, moderate nationalism rather left
of the spectrum, and the NVA, more conservative moderate nationalism; the
alternative/ecological Groen!; the short-lived anarchistic libertarian spark ROSSEM
and more recently the conservative-right liberal Lijst Dedecker.
FLEMISH NATION
Main article: Flemish Movement
For many Flemings, Flanders is more than just a geographical area or the federal
institutions (Flemish Community and Region). Some even call it a nation: a people of
over 6 million living in the Flemish Region and in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Flemings share many political, cultural, scientific, social and educational views.
Although most Flemings identify themselves more with Flanders than with Belgium,
the largest group defines itself as both Flemish and Belgian. The idea of an
independent Flanders finds its root in the romantic nationalism of the 19th century.

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