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 The Flemish Lion unfurls again. Thanks to "Vlaanderen
Vlagt", an intitiative which was set up by a
few Flemish friends, independent and politically unaffiliated.
It all started with three more or less
haphazard campaigns that were undertaken with great enthusiasm.
Then a structure was devised for the new action group. The
name was an obvious choice. Flemings were waving their flag,
the Flemish Lion, so the group was given the name “Vlaanderen
Vlagt”, which one could translate as “Flanders
displays its flag”. With a mathematical pun the group
is also referred to as VL².
The first campaign on 9 and 10 July 2001
involved joining the convoy of the Tour de France on its
passage
through Flanders. Flemish onlookers responded immediately
and enthusiastically. Our second campaign was held in September
2001 during the “Gordel”, where families participate
in walking or cycling tours in the countryside around Brussels.
The caps we sold proved a huge success. Our third campaign
was held in London on 15 September 2001. Sixteen campaigners
attended the Night of the Proms in Hyde Park and waved their
Flemish Lions as the crowds celebrated. They did not go
unnoticed.
The BBC showed our flags in the scroll concluding the broadcast
and the campaigners were kept busy till long past midnight
answering the questions of the many passers-by.
VL² or “Vlaanderen Vlagt”
was born.
Six years onwards Vlaanderen Vlagt has
become a household name, not only in Flanders but also in
many European countries, and even further abroad. About 700
campaigns have been conducted within 1000 campaigning days.
That and our almost daily friendly presence among the people,
on radio and TV have earned us a fine reputation, in which
we take some pride. The aim of Vlaanderen Vlagt is
to display and distribute the Flemish flag at all kinds of
sporting, cultural or festive events at home and abroad, and
to present Flanders as the pleasant, welcoming, interesting,
dynamic, valuable and fascinating country and nation that
it is.
Some people resent our activities. We
have opponents, though usually they can find no good reason
for their criticism. Often the bystanders explain to the sceptics
what our campaign is all about and even chide them for their
attitude. We have received innumerable congratulations and
encouragements and considerable support for our project. Every
day, from hundreds of people in Flanders and abroad, we receive
enthusiastic comments: “A magnificent flag”- “Carry
on” – “Flanders should be proud of you”
– “Be sure to come again next year” –
“Come to our event next month.” Vlaanderen Vlagt
has brought the Flemish Lion to all parts of the world. Thanks
to our campaigns we are proud to say that many have come to
applaud and admire our flag. Both the Americans and the Australians
have proclaimed our flag as “The flag of the international
cycling scene.”
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A frequently asked question is why there are two Flemish
Lions. Indeed, there are two. The oldest one is the black
lion on
a field of gold. It dates from the year 900 and is the flag
of the Flemish emancipation movement. The lion with the
red
tongue and claws (dating back to the crusades, to the year
1100) is the official flag of the Flemish Community, an
official
body within the Belgian State. We do not argue about matters
of taste and colour: both flags have the same sound and
proud
aim: to promote Flanders in a friendly and positive fashion.
The repeated praise for our flag when
we are abroad has convinced us that our government is badly
mistaken and is not telling the truth when it claims that
people abroad find our flag too aggressive.
On the contrary, in other parts of the
world our flag is unanimously hailed as: A magnificent flag
which has character, and is sunny, radiant and photogenic
at the same time. It can be picked out immediately among a
hundred others. No wonder we sell about 2000 flags a year
outside Flanders. Since we started selling flags in May 2002
we have sold over 60,000 in Flanders, and receive encouragements:
“Congratulations” and “Carry on”,
daily. The most significant thing, however, is not how people
relate to VL² and our flags, but the change in attitude
among the Flemings themselves. Instead of being afraid to
assert themselves as Flemings, more and more Flemings are
proud of who they are and proud to show their Flemish identity.
VL² is proud of the results it has
achieved so far, and all our regular campaigners are determined
to continue. |
