Belgium – France: Same Culture?
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Euro–limes – numer 1(5) – styczeń 2005 www.euro-limes.ae.krakow.pl Katedra Studiów Europejskich Akademii Ekonomicznej w Krakowie Belgium – France: same culture? Nathalie Moua, Céline Cross Nicolay Intercultural Communication in Business and Management Englsh Track 2004 Introduction At the beginning of our stay in Cracow, in October, a lot of integration parties and trips were organised so that new BELGIUM – FRANCE: A LONG HISTORY Erasmus students coming from different countries of Europe, could get to know each other. First weeks were really interesting and funny for us. This period was market Since Antiquity, Belgium and France, geographically close with suspicion, curiosity but above all with stereotypes. neighbours, have parts of common history. As Belgium The stereotypes were really present helped us to feel more history is not as well-known as this of France, we decided comfortable: “this guy is French for sure, he has this funny to talk about Belgium, relating some events with France. accent and this girl, she’s Italian with such black hairs”. Stereotypes are deeply rooted in people’s mind but Before the Romans conquered the region in 57 BC, sometimes it occurs that they are not true. We could also Belgium was populated by the “Belgae”, one of the experience it during those first weeks of our Erasmus various Celtic tribes of Gaul. The origin of the adventure. country’s name is thus Celtic. Romans, conducted by Julius Caesar, exterminated Celtic groups to extend the power of Rome and called their new province CELINE: When Erasmus students introduced themselves to me, they always asked me after if I was from France. “Gallia Belgica”. When I was telling that I am Belgian, they answered that th there was no difference for them and this made me really In the 4 Century, Franks, a Germanic tribe, invaded nervous sometimes. Belgium is a little country but I don’t Belgium and established the capital of their dynasty, the like to be perceived as French Merovingian, in Tournai. The difference between the north NATHALIE: The same happened to me but it was the and the south of Belgium started from the period when the opposite. I am French but everybody is always sure that I Franks separated the country in two parts: Flanders and am from Japan or China Wallonia. Soon after, Clovis I, the King of Franks, was baptised and left Tournai for Paris. After Clovis’s death, the Because of this funny story which happened several times, Merovingian kingdom weakened and the Carolingian we decided to write our paper on Belgium and France to dynasty came into power. Charlemagne ruled for almost present those countries. In the first part, we will briefly half a century, creating an empire that covered nearly all explain the history of Belgium and its relations with France. continental Europe. On Charlemagne’s death, the Empire Then, we will analyse, basing on Hofstede’s studies, which was divided, under the Treaty of Verdun in 843, into two attitudes and cultural dimensions are totally different for parts: West Francia to Charles the Bold (France today) our countries, which are almost similar and finally which and East Francia to Louis the German (Germany today). are exactly the same. The North of Belgium was integrated into West Francia whereas the South into East Francia. To help us in this work, we conducted a survey among In the 9 th Century, on Belgian territory, private kingdoms Erasmus students, Polish people and also among our expanded economically and demographically: the Counts respective friends from France and Belgium. The of Flanders, the Princedom of Liege…These entities were questionnaire is attached in the appendix and the quasi independent and very rich thanks to trade and results are interpreted throughout our paper. industries. That’s the reason why the King of France tried to annex them but the population resisted and unified the Euro–limes – numer 1(5) – styczeń 2005 www.euro-limes.ae.krakow.pl Katedra Studiów Europejskich Akademii Ekonomicznej w Krakowie area. At the beginning of the 10 th Century, cities began to remained very agricultural. The French domination develop, especially in the Counties of Flanders. Until 1300, stopped in 1815, with the defeat of Napoleon in Waterloo. the growth of cities was alimented by a favourable The Allied powers decided that Belgium would be a part of economic situation. This growth however stopped in the the Kingdom of the Netherlands but Belgian’s patience had 14 th Century due to crisis and epidemics. At the end of 13 th run out. Revolution erupted in Brussels and rapidly across Century, a lot of battles occurred between the French King the country. Finally, on 20 th January 1831, after centuries and the Counts of Flanders. At the end of the “One of wars and external rule, Belgian was recognised as an hundred years war”, present Belgium and the Netherlands independent state. Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, a duke, passed to the hands of the Burgundian Dukes. The became the first Belgian King. i Burgundian Duke, Philip the Good, had a very big influence in Belgium. Under his reign, Belgium expanded As we can see, Belgium and France history is often and flourished. He suppressed the independence of the interrelated and this can explain the actual cultural cities, brought them under the rule of Brussels and proximity between our countries. consolidated the economy. When his successor Charles V ARE WE SO ALIKE? died, Flanders was in the hands of the Spanish Crown, Being nationalist or cosmopolitan following the marriage of his daughter with the Spanish heir. One of the most obvious and important differences The ascension of Philip II to the Spanish throne in 1555 between Belgium and France is that whereas French are brought about the next crisis in Belgium’s history. King nationalists, Belgians are cosmopolites and more open- Philip was a strict catholic and this didn’t coincide with the minded. Let’s talk about France first. rising Protestantism movement in the north. Under his reign, the present-day Netherlands obtained their In our survey, we asked people to describe typical French. independency but present-day Belgium remained under The first and most often answer given by foreigners was Spanish possession and was called the Spanish “nationalist” or “proud”. This stereotype of French is Netherlands. Over the next century, France was the most known all over the world. Indeed, French have a view of powerful state in Europe under the rule Louis XIV, the Sun their country as special and unique. They think they are King. The French made a lot of effort to extend their the centre of the universe and around them the rest of the control over the Spanish Netherlands. Louis XIV didn’t world rotates. In his studies, Martin J. Gannon compares want to renounce. As a result, present-day Belgium was French with wine and states “Like a flawless bottle of during a large part of the 17 th century, a battleground vintage wine, it is as if God had decreed that there be between Louis XIV and his different Austrian, English and perfection in the land and people of France” ii Dutch opponents. The borders between France and Belgium today became apparent at this time. By 1783, One can easily understand this pride to be French if we Louis XIV became tired with battles and with the Treaty of have a look on the history of the country. Actually, Utrecht, in 1713; France ceded its claims over the Spanish France’s concept of grandeur is not very old and was Netherlands to the Habsburg, rulers in Austria. Actually, imposed by force by Louis XIV, the Sun King, who spread the region didn’t pay much attention to Habsburg claims the idea that France was the best country of the world with and at the end of the 18 th Century; Belgium was ready to the best language and universal values. This concept assert its independence. When the French revolution hasn’t disappeared until now and is still very strong. started in 1789, the country organised revolts against the Honestly, it’s normal! In France, there is everything! Austrians and in 1790, independence was declared in the Belgians try not to care about but actually, they are jealous form of the United States of Belgium. Bu because of the of their neighbours. France represents a lot of different division between the new rulers, Austria rapidly re- landscapes: seas, mountains and islands. Then there are established the power. In 1795, French liberated Belgium. also a lot of wonderful cities: Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon, and With the rise of Napoleon, Belgium was fully integrated in Nice. One shouldn’t forget also the delicious and delicate the French Empire. At the same time, the industrial French cuisine, their unique products like cheeses, revolution occurred in Belgium, Wallonia became one the baguettes and of course wine! Finally, France is also a most industrialised regions in Europe whereas Flanders Euro–limes – numer 1(5) – styczeń 2005 www.euro-limes.ae.krakow.pl Katedra Studiów Europejskich Akademii Ekonomicznej w Krakowie country of culture and arts; there are plenty of famous the collar of a garment; they bring out the best qualities of artists in all categories (music, painting, cinema, sport) those with whom they work without being flashy or calling to themselves.” iii Belgians tend not to expose their Another adjective used to describe French was “not good capabilities and they are even sometimes really critics. in foreign languages”! This is unfortunately true and is also Some can understand this approach as an “inferiority a consequence of their nationalism.