July 21
Today was another day where we were mostly free to enjoy ourselves here in Brussels, which was great as it was Belgian Independence Day. I felt that I could sympathize especially well with this day, as for the first time in my life I missed out on America’s 4th of July. But before I get into the celebration, I would like to touch on a couple of the activities we experienced beforehand. First was our lecture on the history of the Pan-Euro sentiment and the current European Union. Most importantly, Europe has been torn apart throughout history up until the immediate post-WWII era. The EU was a significant step forward in foreign relations policy, especially between many former rival nations in Western Europe.
Moving along with this idea of interdependence and peaceful coexistence, we have before us the Belgian independence. According to the reader, this came as a result of both Catholic and Liberal movements joining forces in seek of political freedom and participation, in what was referred to as the “monstrous alliance.” The rebellion succeeds and Leopold I becomes Belgium’s first king on this day in 1831.
1) I did not know what to expect, as we were instructed that:
1) 2) There is less national sympathy, and more regional sentiment.
2) 3) Many are of the opinion that secession is necessary for Belgium to move forward
3) 4) The national government has been at a standstill for over a year now
4) 5) The Royal Family is generally not admired as other monarchs, as they are not even of Belgian descent.
But lo and behold, there was a strong sense of national pride, at least from what we witnessed here in Brussels. Flags flew high and majestic, festivals packed into many of the major plazas, and the entire city shut down to mobilize in celebration. It was quite a sight, as energetic as any I have witnessed in California. To top it all off, many of us ended the night with a waffle implanted with a miniature Belgian flag.
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