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Our Top Society Stories of the Year
19 December 2023
Join us in bidding goodbye to 2023 with some of the most surprising stories we have published this year on societal matters in Flanders and the Netherlands. They are worth reading again. Sit down by the fireplace. Relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the stories.
Holy Halle!
28 February 2023
On a visit to the Flemish city of Halle, Derek Blyth discovers a miraculous statue, a forgotten Flemish artist and an intriguing street art trail.
Peeling the Onion in Aalst
22 December 2022
On a visit to the Flemish city of Aalst, Derek Blyth discovers a Carnival parade that likes to shock, a priest that took on the factory bosses and a utopian library.
Genk Mines Its Own Business
23 November 2022
On a visit to the Flemish city of Genk, Derek Blyth discovers restored coal mines, cosmopolitan chickens and one of the world’s great love songs.
Sinterklaas Is Comin’ to Town
31 October 2022
On a visit to the Flemish city of Sint-Niklaas, Derek Blyth discovers the largest market square in Belgium, the biggest cigar in the world and the greatest atlas ever printed.
Ypres Marches On
28 September 2022
On a visit to the Flemish city of Ypres, Derek Blyth discovers a museum dedicated to the horror of war, a beer brewed in an underground fortification and a nightly ceremony that might go on for ever.
Mad about Geel
24 June 2022
On a trip to Geel, Derek Blyth discovers a murdered Irish saint, a community that cares for strangers, and a mellow city that is simply crazy about reggae.
Ode to Mechelen
3 June 2022
On a trip to Mechelen, Derek Blyth discovers lost mediaeval rivers, Beethoven’s Flemish roots and the world’s oldest carillon school.
Don’t Worry, Be Hasselt
3 May 2022
On a trip to the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg, Derek Blyth finds comforting food and drinks, innovative architecture and 25 places to be happy.
Horsing Around in Vilvoorde
29 March 2022
On a trip to Vilvoorde, near Brussels, Derek Blyth discovers a monument to an English martyr, a traditional horsemeat restaurant and a waterfront that looks like Brooklyn.
Gear Up For Oudenaarde
22 February 2022
On a visit to the Flemish town of Oudenaarde, British journalist Derek Blyth discovers a battlefield that shaped European history, a cafe dedicated to cycle racing and a tapestry with a secret message.
Kortrijk Earns It Spurs
6 January 2022
There is a new Kortrijk emerging that has nothing to do with the Battle of the Golden Spurs or flax grown along the banks of the river Lys. Once mockingly called ‘the Dallas of Flanders’, the West Flemish city boasts a vivid music scene and is now hoping to win the nomination for European Capita
