July 21 : Belgium National Day (Horse Parade #7) by GiMi53

Photography • World Events/Social Commentary • posted on Jul 21, 2005

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Description

July 21st : Belgium National (Independence) Day ! Belgium is a small country (11,730 square Miles, the size of Maryland) with a population of 10 million. It has been a constitutional monarchy since 1830. There are three languages (Dutch, French and German). However, English is widely spoken. The three regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels) have self-government in many spheres. Belgium has retained its old-world charm in the preservation of its ancient buildings and historical traditions. http://www.trabel.com/index2.htm You're unlikely to encounter extremes in weather during an average Belgian year. April to September is the warmest time, but be prepared for grey skies and soggy streets no matter what time of year you go. Visitors may be forgiven for assuming umbrellas and raincoats are part of the Belgian national dress. http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/guide/europe/belgium/facts.html If Belgium's spotlight on the European stage is a little dim, it's only because its people are rarely boastful. This slow-burning country has more history, art, food and architecture packed into its tiny self than many of its bigger, louder neighbours. A rich and bubbling vat of beer, chocolate, oil paint and bureaucrats, Belgium gives off the heady pong of the bourgeoisie. But stir the pot a little and you'll find an 'artificial state' roughly made up of two parts Germanic Flemings to one part Celtic-Latin Walloons. Divided by pride first and language second, the country's binding agents are a pervasive sense of family and an indomitable entrepreneurial spirit. Visitors, lulled by the locals' friendliness, will probably not even notice the tensions that spark across the Linguistic Divide. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/belgium * ~ * For the 175th anniversary of Belgium, 175 decorated horses have been on exhibition in Brussels, under the monumental

Comments (26)

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Zabeth

2:11AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Hehe!!! Yep! On se retrouve ou tout l'heure ;-) va re un feu d'artifice du tonnerre... faudrait arriver tr t pour avoir de bonnes photos... Bonne journ! Bise

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Akinom

2:19AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

claps hands Always fun to see those horses from the parade, each one is so beautifully decorated! You have chosen the perfect image for the national holiday! Great with the national flag in the background! And you have introduced your country excellently! I always like to come to Belgium... the people are very friendly and there are so many beautiful places to go... of course I like the Belgium beer and the chocolate LOL Enjoy your holiday, my friend! hugz

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nathalie06

2:51AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Ca va re une belle journ et une nuit de fe partout en Belgique aujourd'hui pour cet "Independence Day"... (et lj'imagine toujours les Ovnis qui arrivent... et Will Smith en ho... lol) ! Je suis ravie de retrouver les chevaux de la Horse Parade, celui-ci je ne l'avais jamais vu, pas me sur le site. Fais de belles photos Michel et prends soin de toi. Bisous...

jared99

2:58AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

What an incredibly beautiful and colorful display! And thanks for the information about Belgium -- now I'd like to go visit!

soulofharmony

4:04AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

mmmmmmmm love the smell and taste of the perfect belgian bourgeoise chocolate.. pure dark chocolate.. nothing like it in the world... the wallons came to Norfolk England to live in the 17th century.. well a group.. settled in Norwich.. cultivated the land, water ways and industries in this region... believe they fled from main lands europes reformation .. alot of our regional accent ((which l dont have)) origins come from flemmish/dutch...beautiful informative composition gimi.. we share a thin thread of history...:)...)))

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Georges_H_Hoens

4:05AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

une bien belle photo ! Oh M... ! Comme je regrette d're - me en ce jour de fe nationale - immobilispar le boulot... On va le dire en anglais pour nos amis... Sh... Comme le dit Nathalie, c'est notre "Independance day" nous... Avec les extraterrestres qui nous gouverne, c'est (tiens donc!) propos. Une bonne (nuageuse) journ toi, G.

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marybelgium

5:58AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Super ta photo ! Suis la ce et j'ai sorti mon drapeau ! Ce soir grand feu d'artifice et Vive la Belgique !

thesymphonyofthelife

7:02AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

J'aime la lumie et le rapprochement entre le drapeau et le cheval. c'est une tr jolie photographie. je te souhaite une agrble journ

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diomedes66

8:20AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Superb photography and quite wonderful history and cultural lesson! Gotta love those bourgeoisie :-) Bravo! And Happy Independence Day!

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tibet2004uk

8:32AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Now that was a very interesting read even though a tad nationalist! ;P And what a great shot!! Looks like a very interesting display accross the streets! Thx for sharing this Michel!

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sharky_

10:26AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Very interesting place. Hope these horse are going in the same direction. Aloha

Egmont

11:07AM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Happy Independance Day to you and your country. Excellent photograph and the information and links are all very super. Thank you for sharing.

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chantal-france

12:40PM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Et vive les Belges, et vive Michel :)) Tr belle illustration par l'image et le texte de la fe Nationale Belge :)) Bisous, Chantal

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Onslow

4:56PM | Thu, 21 July 2005

Wonderful info - thank you :)

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WiserAngel

6:06PM | Thu, 21 July 2005

How does a horse like this walk? How does it decide which way to go? Excellent shot!

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Wankerboy

7:50PM | Thu, 21 July 2005

How does he POOP?

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Margana

7:56PM | Thu, 21 July 2005

We have a Belgian restaurant nearby that is my absolute favorite.It has a variety of fondue that is unbelievable.And the desserts are incredible,and I don't eat dessert!Love these pics,Michel.Ce cheval est tres merveilleux! :)

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Richardphotos

8:48PM | Thu, 21 July 2005

from what I have seen Brussels is beautiful.I have known people from there here in Texas. the two headed horse reminds me of the politicians here and anywhere, far as that goes. excellent picture

cynlee

12:35AM | Fri, 22 July 2005

happy july 21st! coming & going ;]

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