Partition of Belgium Belgian identity was not defined on racial, ethnic or linguistic lines, but in the civilizational community of the Belgian people. Supporters of a partition of Belgium argue that the synchronized attempts to forge a national identity and culture have been unable to forestall ethno-linguistic rivalries. French was the only official language of Belgium until 1898, even though Flanders was and still is predominantly Dutch-speaking. The government's long refusal to acknowledge Dutch as an official language led to hostilities between Flanders and the French-speaking bourgeoisie who held both political and economic power. These hostilities gave rise to the Flemish movement, which
Day of the German-speaking Community the German-speaking area ("Gebiet") of Belgium; outside this area, it shall be hoisted on the buildings which, because of their use, are ascribed to the German-speaking Community or are temporarily put at its disposal. In the German-speaking area of Belgium, the flag shall be further hoisted on the administrative buildings under the same conditions and on the same days as the Belgian national flag. Source: Official website of the German-speaking Community Day of the German-speaking Community The Day of the German-speaking Community is a holiday in Belgium celebrated on 15 November each year. It is a public holiday for the