ISBN : 9782296549876
THE INTERNATIONAL POLICY OF FLANDERS
Flanders - Vlaanderen in the official Dutch language - is a region of Belgium with solid roots in history and a strong profile of autonomous government. Whereas most newly established regional authorities in Europe have to invest in establishing a ‘brand name', some historical regions are widely known, be it on a variety of grounds. People familiar with the Middle Ages will associate Flanders with the mighty and prosperous County under French suzerainty. The most magnificent era was the 15th century, when Flanders was incorporated into the Duchy of Burgundy. The School of painting known as the ‘Flemish primitives' can be admired in all major museums all-over the world. But Flanders was also witnessing one of the bloodiest conflicts in History: the first World War. The poem ‘In Flanders Fields' is among the best known evocations of that great carnage. In more recent days...