De Gordel
Encyclopedia
De Gordel is a partly political
, partly family cycling
and walking
event around Brussels
, Belgium
. The event is organised by Bloso
, each year since 1971 on the first Sunday of September. It is meant as a symbolic affirmation that the municipalities involved are part of Flanders
. It also expresses the solidarity of the entire Flemish community with the Flemings living in these villages.
Depending on the weather, up to 100,000 participants (in 2005) attend, either cycling or walking. In 2008, bad weather resulted in the lower attendance number of 58,000. The 2010 edition saw more than 80,000 participants.
While opinion on the event varies, some French-speakers see participation as a political move by those who choose to take part (including Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt
in 2005). In 2006, Minister-President of Flanders Yves Leterme
said: "The Gordel is a pleasant way to say that we want to keep the villages around Brussels Flemish.". As Prime Minister, Yves Leterme did not participate in 2008.
So close to Brussels, and passing through several Dutch-speaking towns with French-speaking majorities in some areas, this sports event gains wide television coverage through news reports and serves as a very visual reminder that linguistic and political divisions among neighbouring regions and even neighbours themselves remain alive in the area immediately surrounding Brussels.
s on the road. In 2008 and 2010 an increase in thumbtack throwing was noted.
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, partly family cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
and walking
Walking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
event around Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The event is organised by Bloso
Bloso
Bloso is the shortened name for the Belgian Flemish sports agency. Its official name is the Commissariaat-Generaal ter Bevordering van de Lichamelijke Ontwikkeling, de Sport en de Openluchtrecreatie. It is the flemish counterpart of French-speaking ADEPS...
, each year since 1971 on the first Sunday of September. It is meant as a symbolic affirmation that the municipalities involved are part of Flanders
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
. It also expresses the solidarity of the entire Flemish community with the Flemings living in these villages.
Depending on the weather, up to 100,000 participants (in 2005) attend, either cycling or walking. In 2008, bad weather resulted in the lower attendance number of 58,000. The 2010 edition saw more than 80,000 participants.
While opinion on the event varies, some French-speakers see participation as a political move by those who choose to take part (including Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
in 2005). In 2006, Minister-President of Flanders Yves Leterme
Yves Leterme
Yves Camille Désiré Leterme is a Flemish Belgian politician, a leader of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party , and the 48th Prime Minister of Belgium.Leterme was the Prime Minister of Belgium from March 2008 to December 2008...
said: "The Gordel is a pleasant way to say that we want to keep the villages around Brussels Flemish.". As Prime Minister, Yves Leterme did not participate in 2008.
So close to Brussels, and passing through several Dutch-speaking towns with French-speaking majorities in some areas, this sports event gains wide television coverage through news reports and serves as a very visual reminder that linguistic and political divisions among neighbouring regions and even neighbours themselves remain alive in the area immediately surrounding Brussels.
Incidents
De Gordel has fallen victim to sabotage actions several times in the past. During the 2006 event, local police caught a French-speaking lawyer and another person throwing thumbtackThumbtack
A drawing pin , thumbtack , or push pin is a short nail or pin with a circular, sometimes domed, head, used to fasten items such as documents to a wall or board for display. Various designs and names are used. They are inserted and removed by hand, hence the terms "thumbtack" and "push pin"...
s on the road. In 2008 and 2010 an increase in thumbtack throwing was noted.
Gordelroute permanent cycle route
The Gordelroute is a permanent cycle route encircling Brussels, based on De Gordel. It doesn't follow the same route as that used in the event, mainly following quieter roads and cycle paths, but is approximately the same distance (100 km).External links
- Flanders Today: Glorious Gordel
- Official page, in Dutch