society

Harvest of the University Press (winter 2021)
Our selection of recent university press publications in English on the Low Countries.

The Lure of the Amsterdam Ferry
When in Amsterdam, Derek Blyth likes to travel by ferry. It's free and fun.
The DNA of the Netherlands
Hendrik Tratsaert: ‘Flanders’ Greatest Enemies Are Self-Censure and Self-Hate’
The new director of Ons Erfdeel regrets that the debate about Flemish self-awareness has degenerated into a polarisation between the populist right and the tendentious left.

When Fighting Racism, Skin Colour Should Not Be an Issue
According to Hind Fraihi rabid Black Lives Matters supporters view colour blindness as a form of micro-aggression designed to erase ethnic identity and experience.
Postcard

Spread the Spark
Editor-in-chief Luc Devoldere bids his readers farewell.

How the Bicycle Became a Family Car
Have you ever wondered where those cargo bikes come from?
Hind Fraihi

The Top 5 Society Stories of the Year
Our best society stories of 2020, handpicked by the editor.

Say Cheese! Culinary Traditions in The Low Countries
We find out what Flemish and Dutch people have been eating since prehistoric times. Smakelijk!
The L-Spot

School Bags on Flagpoles and Other Special Customs
We are delving into some of the unique and peculiar customs, social norms and rituals of Flanders and the Netherlands.

For Extremists of All Kinds, Jews Are a Target
Don’t start shouting that ‘we’re back in the 1930s again’, writes Fraihi. That sort of warning is counterproductive and even risks gaining the status of forbidden fruit.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Myth of Dutch Progressiveness
For a long time, the Dutch believed that the Netherlands was somehow a 'Gidsland' ('Guide Land'), a nation whose moral example could inspire other nations toward better behaviour.

What Do the Dutch Want to Maintain?
In the last episode of the series ‘The DNA of the Netherlands’, we find out what the national motto ‘Je maintiendrai’ really stands for.

A ‘Mental Passport’ of Dutchness
Jan Renkema gives an overview of the core trademarks of Dutch identity.

How Muslim Extremists Bring Jihad to Our Streets and Classrooms
Hind Fraihi believes that we have to face the reality of Islamist street terrorism and eradicate it using both hard and soft approaches.

Why Trade and Thrift Go Hand in Hand in the Netherlands
The Dutch have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. In the seventeenth century, they were responsible for the world's first multinational company.

Farewell to the Quintessential Editor: Frits Niessen (1936-2020)
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you that Ons Erfdeel vzw former deputy editor-in-chief, Frits Niessen, has passed away.

Poems for Lonely Funerals
In 2002, the Dutch poet F. Starik came up with the idea of the Poule des doods – a pool of poets who write and read a poem for the people who have no mourners at their funeral.

Oh America, Where Art Thou?
The Low Countries' view of the United States has gradually changed from admiration to sadness and frustration.

Why the Dutch Often Have Difficulty With Authority
The Dutch like to fend for themselves, for fear of further interference. They love their freedom and independence.

Why the Dutch Leave Their Curtains Open
Due to the population density, the Dutch have developed a strong sense of individuality and privacy.