flandersfocus on THE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 13 • 6 April – 12 April 2002

INTRODUCTION fla Moral philosophy in r la ndr u e s • s f u o c c he invasion by Israeli o u f s

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n 11 April Flemish Minister able. The CD&V had put f o s k u our country. In , Ofor Education Vanderpoorten a phasing-out scenario, whereby there is one pro-Palestinian (VLD) unveiled her Education De- children who already attended demonstration after the other. On 7 April as cree XIV. In principle it had al- moral philosophy classes at the many as 25,000 demonstrators took to the ready been approved by the Flem- time of the take-over could contin- streets. The demonstration passed off fairly peacefully. Quite unlike the demonstration ish government and is now moving ue to do so until they left the in the previous Wednesday, which on to the Flemish Education Coun- school. That the party feels strong- mobilised some 2,000 to 3,000, mainly Mo- cil (Vlor) for its advice. In this de- ly about this is clear from its threat roccan, foreigners. After the demonstration cree the most striking item was the to leave the round-table confer- – for which the organiser, the Arabic-Euro- decision to no longer force munici- ence on education, in which par- pean League, had not even asked the City Council for permission – had been broken palities to organise primary educa- ties, schools, parents and teachers up, a hard core of youths decided to march tion. Municipalities can allow are addressing the reorganisation on the Jewish district. With the predictable their schools to be taken over by of Flemish education (FF). result: a massive pitched battle with the po- community or Catholic education lice and much vandalism and looting in the networks. But if the Catholic edu- KIM HERBOTS • DE MORGEN • 12 APRIL area around the station. That the demon- stration was nothing more than a pretext for cation network takes over a mu- a number of troublemakers and looters was nicipal school, it is obliged to con- CD&V education specialist Luc evident from the fact that even several tinue to offer the existing moral Martens is unhappy that Minister shops owned by Muslims were looted. Sev- philosophy lessons. For the Christ- Vanderpoorten refused to wait for enty-five hotheads were rounded up and ian Democratic CD&V the new the results of the round table on ed- Antwerp’s Public Prosecutor announced a ruling in the decree is unaccept- policy of zero tolerance. Antwerp City Coun- ucation and has already made a cil, but also several Muslim organisations, number of social choices in the Ed- among them the Federation of Moroccan CONTENTS ucation Decree. On Monday the Associations, were harsh in their condemna- CD&V bureau will debate whether tion of the disturbances. Antwerp’s Mayor, Economy to continue its participation in the Leona Detiège (SP.A), promptly increased Employers call running down of nu- round table. For Martens the Flem- the police presence in the Jewish district and around the city’s 20 or so synagogues ten- clear energy studpid 2 ish government is quietly busy fold. Detiège is also hoping to avoid new Biotechnology finds capital in switching from municipal educa- disturbances through intense dialogue with the US 2 tion to community education. He is the local Jewish and Muslim communities. CVC Capital takes over Massive 3 convinced that through the obliga- That this had to happen in of all places a city tion to continue to offer moral phi- such as Antwerp that is plagued by far-right extremism, does not make things any easier Politics losophy in municipal and provin- for her. Meanwhile, the again Majority parties in favour of non- cial schools after a take-over, take- found a reason to convene an extra meeting binding referendums 3 overs by free education are de facto of the municipal council. The Flemish press Language courses for ambassadors 4 precluded. Furthermore, the offi- was also unanimous in its condemnation of What about Flemish foreign policy 3 cial community schools may no the troublemakers. De Financieel-Economis- che Tijd warns that the boundary between The new VLD stragegy 4 longer make use of catholic educa- simple crime and ideologically inspired vio- Flemish budget control and tion syllabuses, which currently lence is sometimes rather vague and can re- sustainable investments 6 happens in many municipal sult in an explosive cocktail. De Standaard schools. Martens is angry with the points an accusatory finger at the organis- Social Policy Education Minister for taking this ers, who above all smashed in their own windows, those of the Palestinian cause. De Sabena pilots become desperate 6 option now without waiting for the Morgen, however, warns against continuing Onkelinx in favour of four-days- results of the round-table confer- to systematically ignore the social and polit- week 7 ence on education. ical complaints of the immigrant communi- ties out of fear of the Blok. Because then we Culture create the hate and crime we are claiming to be fighting, claims the paper. The art derby of the low countries in 7 Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief

focus on • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13 2 economy

NUCLEAR POWER by 25%. For the consumer, this translates to around 25.5 euros per VEV calls running down of person. With the extra costs, this could increase to 52.5 euros or 210 nuclear energy stupid euros per annum for a family of four. For VEV Managing Director ccording to the Flemish Em- supplied by nuclear power stations. Philippe Muyters the planned clo- Aployers' Association VEV, the At the same time, electricity con- sure is therefore evidence of an ill- detrimental effects of the running sumption in Belgium rose annually considered policy. down of nuclear energy from 2015 by 3.09% over the past ten years. In a reaction Olivier Deleuze (Eco- are enormous. The electricity bills The Flemish government also lo), Federal State Secretary for Ener- of businesses and individuals will wants to give each family 100 kWh gy, says that in future the average rise sharply. Belgium will have to free and obtain 5% of our energy electricity bill in Belgium will in import electricity in bulk, making from green current gradually by fact fall by 100 euros. Belgian elec- it less independent economically. 2010, mainly from wind turbines. tricity is one of the most expensive And last but not least: by switch- The energy from these is much in Europe. Here, bills are 20% high- ing to natural gas- or coal-fired more expensive and these costs will er than in other countries. ‘With power stations CO2 emissions will be passed on. In the Kyoto Protocol, deregulation, exactly the opposite double or triple. This means the Belgium undertook to gradually will happen of what the VEV is say- electricity will emit around half of limit its CO2 emissions. If classic ing. And if the VEV wants to be the the 129 million tonnes of CO2 al- gas- or coal-fired power stations are mouthpiece of the nuclear energy lowed by the Kyoto Protocol, says introduced, emissions will increase lobby, that's its affair,’ says the VEV (FF). and we will have to buy our ‘clean- Deleuze. air quota’ from poorer countries PAUL VERBRAEKEN • such as Russia, which will obvious- GAZET VAN ANTWERPEN • 11 APRIL ly also be reflected in electricity bills. According to the VEV, simply For the VEV it is all very clear. In closing the nuclear power stations 2000, 57.1% of our electricity was will push up the price of electricity

BIOTECHNOLOGY

times in recent years, but at no time Biotechnology seeks and has the site in Ghent employed more researchers. And many for- finds capital in US mer PGS people are now spread throughout other biotech compa- nies, of which Ceres and CropDe- nly a few weeks after the take- companies was a problem here. The sign are the most conspicuous. Oover of the Mechelen biotech number of big Flemish multina- Their main competitors are proba- company Tibotec-Virco by the tionals is small. For the time being bly the internal departments of the American pharmaceuticals giant we must reconcile ourselves to the large German and American agro- Johnson&Johnson, the biotech fact that American rescue ships are chemical companies. On the other company Ceres from Malibu, Cali- the best solution once the money hand, these are also necessary al- fornia entered into a co-operation has run out. And yet the large num- lies. After all, interest from multi- agreement with the American ber of Flemings in plant biotechnol- nationals guarantees contracts and chemicals group Monsanto. Ceres ogy is a fact. In the US Ceres is valuable deals. This duality is pre- is a company with Flemish roots leader, in Europe it is CropDesign. cisely the raison d'être of the small and Flemish capital (KBC, GIMV) And let us not forget that - in terms biotech companies. that specialises in genetic research of employment - the former PGS in plants. It was established by has not been wiped off the map. Walter de Logi, a former employee PGS has changed owners several of the Ghent biotechnology com- pany Plant Genetic Systems (PGS). THE INTERNATIONALISING OF MANAGED FUNDS In exchange for a minority share, % OF LOCAL SHARES WEIGHT OF Monsanto will inject 156 million IN LOCAL FUNDS LOCAL SHARES IN euros of capital into the biotech BEFORE EURO AFTER EURO DJ STOXX600-INDEX company, which also announced it BELGIUM 20% 3% 1.4% was preparing to float on the stock FRANCE 20% 11% 13.3% market (FF). GERMANY 25% 15% 9.6% GREECE 49% 49% 0.4% ROELAND BYL - TRENDS - 11 APRIL IRELAND 35% 16% 0.9% ITALY 20% 7% 5.0% Research and science have always THE NETHERLANDS 20% 7% 8.3% been of a high level in Flanders, but PORTUGAL 9% 3% 0.6% SPAIN 30% 10% 4.4% the shift to strong, research-driven

SOURCE: EUROPEAN SECURITIES NETWORK - TIJD-GRAPHICS

focus on FLANDERS • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13 economy and politics 3

COMPANIES Investor CVC Capital takes over lighting Non-binding referendums manufacturer in Flanders Massive he Flemish majority parties tives. Many Flemings have recently T have agreed on the introduc- appeared to only be interested in ighting manufacturer Massive tion of a non-binding referendum. politics if they can say ‘the hell LInternational is being sold to The four majority parties, the with it’. The question is also to CVC Capital Partners, one of Eu- SP.A, VLD, Agalev, and Spirit, sub- what extent such an instrument re- rope's largest investment compa- mitted a draft decree to this effect veals that other ‘charming’ trait of nies. According to De Financieel- in the Flemish Parliament. The ini- the Flemish national character: the Economische Tijd, the transaction tiative for such a referendum be- classic example of the man who is for more than 250 million euros. gins with the Parliament, but that wants to see his own street and res- Massive is owned by the De Jaeck can also be at the suggestion of the idential area full of speed ramps family and is the third largest people. In that case, however, but who does not want any speed lighting company in Europe be- 150,000 signatures must be collect- restrictions on any other street in hind the company created by the ed. All inhabitants of Flanders his town. merger of Thorn Lighting and over the age of 16 who are entered Zumtobel and Philips. Worldwide in the municipal register, therefore ERIC DONCKIER • the group has a turnover estimated also non-Belgians, can take part. HET BELANG VAN LIMBURG • 10 APRIL at more than 250 million euros and The voting is not compulsory and employs around 2,500 people (FF). the referendum is purely advisory. The Flemish government and the According to the terms of the Con- Flemish parliament would have DENIS BOUWEN • DE FINANCIEEL- stitution, binding referendums are been better off postponing going to ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 9 APRIL simply neither permitted in Bel- the people until the Constitution gium nor in Flanders. With the had been amended. That would The De Jaeck family's company is non-binding referendum the Flem- have been a greater guarantee than known for its great discretion. It is ish Parliament has the last word, the current promise that they will structured around several holdings but the representatives of those take account of the referendum in under Dutch law. In trade union cir- parties taking the initiative con- any event. One can also fundamen- cles the company has the reputa- firmed that the result of the refer- tally question the sense or other- tion of not being an easy discussion endum will be taken into account wise of referendums. The most im- partner in social negotiations. The in any decisions taken, at least if portant argument of the advocates family is currently represented by the number of participants is suffi- of referendums is that the citizen is the brothers Piet and Jan de Jaeck, ciently high. Obviously, referen- more emancipated than ever and both in their forties and men of the dums can only be organised must therefore be able to express third generation. In 1926 grandfa- around matters for which Flanders an opinion on matters that concern ther Pieter Jozef de Jaeck laid the is empowered. In view of their top- him. But we also know that this basis for the group when he set up a icality value, the maximum speed same citizen can sometimes react small foundry for the production of on Flemish roads or the size of the in an extremely populist way. The copper candlesticks. compulsory contribution to Flem- referendum is then the means par Today Massive is a group that ex- ish care insurance could be mat- excellence of mobilising populist ports to around 70 countries and ters that are taken into considera- feeling. And then we get referen- has factories in Belgium (Kontich), tion, according to the initiative- dums on the question of whether Poland, Hungary, and even China. takers. Referendums are nothing immigrants should be given the According to the Italian market re- new. At municipal level they have right to vote or the question of search agency CSIL, Massive holds been possible for a long time (FF). whether the maximum tax burden a little over 10% of the market in should be restricted to 30%. In Belgium and the Netherlands. short, referendums are an ideal In the 1990s Massive reorganised Opinion way of mobilising dissatisfaction several times to rationalise and do and stripping governments of their away with overcapacity. The trade YVES DESMET • DE MORGEN • 10 APRIL power to govern. unions fear that in due course the group will transfer even more pro- The idea was one of the elements of duction to low-wage countries. the New Political Culture, which ‘Our work is certainly not easy was intended to clean up politics with a company like Massive,’ they and bring it closer to the people. We say. ‘The management is not really should therefore be pleased with it. used to being generous in social ne- Then again. The question may be gotiations.’ asked to what extent the sour Fleming will still make the effort to take part, especially if he knows that the result is not at all binding for the people's elected representa-

focus on FLANDERS • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13 4 politics

FOREIGN POLICY Ambassadors can Flemish foreign policy learn Dutch for free n a letter last week Paul Van ince the Sint-Michiels Agree- time regional ministers chaired Eu- IGrembergen (Spirit), the Flemish S ment of 1992-93, foreign policy ropean Councils of Ministers. A Minister for Internal and Foreign is no longer the exclusive domain further step Flanders is dreaming of Affairs, offered foreign ambas- of the Federal State. Moreover, is for national votes in European sadors in Belgium a free crash since the recent Lambermont Councils of Ministers to be split ac- course in Dutch. The foreign em- Agreement foreign trade and parts cording to their federal states. bassies reacted positively. Indeed, of development co-operation have Alongside the European Union, the habit of foreign embassies rely- also been transferred to the federal Flemish diplomacy, such as it is, fo- ing exclusively on the Francopho- states. Flanders has now conclud- cuses on neighbouring countries. ne press for information on this ed some 24 international conven- Another Flemish House was re- country's comings and goings ap- tions. Following last year's reshuf- cently established in , which pears to be a thing of the past once fling of powers within the Flemish also houses the Flemish trade at- and for all (FF). government, foreign policy moved tachés. In bilateral relations the from Minister-President Dewael emphasis is mainly on actual GUY TEGENBOS • DE STANDAARD • (VLD) to Minister Paul Van Grem- dossiers that are of importance to 6 APRIL bergen (Spirit). Van Grembergen the Flemish economy - think of the wants to combine all foreign pow- negotiations with the Netherlands The individualised crash courses ers in a Flemish Ministry for For- on the Westerschelde and the IJz- will be given by 3L ( Lan- eign Policy, Foreign Trade, and In- eren Rijn. However, David Crieke- guage Learning). The Flemish busi- ternational Co-operation. And yet mans of the University of Antwerp ness club De Warande will provide Flemish foreign policy is still in its (UA) pointed out that as Flanders' the infrastructure. Most foreign infancy, claims De Financieel- most important trading partner, ambassadors speak French. Howev- Economische Tijd (4 April). Two Germany deserves more attention. er, they have recently been showing weeks ago a conference on this for- That is being worked on, replied a greater interest in also learning eign policy was held in Ghent (FF). Verstraeten. In September 2000 a Dutch, says Van Grembergen's Flemish representative was ap- spokesman. One embassy gave this WIM VANDE VELDEN • DE FINANCIEEL- pointed in Berlin. This year Ger- reaction yesterday to the free ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 4 APRIL many is also the ‘target country’ of lessons: ‘Good, then we won't have Flemish foreign policy. to pay for them any more.’ At the conference in Ghent Hugo A separate place is taken by the Many ambassadors already have a van Driessche, Principal Private countries of central and eastern Eu- smattering of Dutch. According to Secretary to Paul Van Grembergen, rope, for which the ‘Central and those embassies contacted, the zoomed in on the Flemish develop- Eastern Europe Programme’ was set time when diplomats were only in- ment projects, which primarily in- up in 1992. More than 400 co-oper- formed about this country via the volve co-operation with South ation projects worth 1.5 million eu- Francophone press - and so got a dis- Africa, Chile, and Eastern Europe. ros have now been implemented. torted picture of Flanders - is long According to Diane Verstraeten, Conventions have been entered gone. In some embassies more than Director-General of the Flemish into with the Baltic States and a half the staff are bilingual Belgians Foreign Policy Administration, bunch of eastern European coun- who assist the foreign diplomats. helping close the chasm between tries. ‘Every day we have a news briefing North and South is one of the involving the Flemish and Fran- strategic objectives. The other ob- ww.flanders.be cophone press. An embassy that jectives are less visible, but possi- cannot distinguish the differences bly of greater importance. Thus, the in nuance between the two does not aim is to give Flanders greater know what it is getting into,’ says weight at international forums, Nick Orbaen, spokesman for the strengthen the Flemish position as British embassy. Another informa- a partner for bilateral relations, and tion channel is Focus on Flanders, a support the creation of wealth in weekly publication in which the Flanders. Flemish authorities incorporate ar- The objective of giving Flanders a ticles from the Flemish press. The voice at international forums is a texts are translated into English, battle that is fought mainly on the French, and German, mainly for the European stage. Dewael put a great benefit of foreign correspondents, deal of energy into setting up the but also for diplomats. ‘Committee of the European Re- gions with Legislative Powers’, ww.flanders.be which is intended to be the regional cornerstone of the European union. Belgium's presidency of the EU also provided a first, because for the first

focus on FLANDERS • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13 politics 5

PARTIES

coalition partners. De Gucht also A new well-thought-out demonises the far-right, thereby warning his fellow party members strategy for the VLD? about the siren's song from that corner.

he conservative wing of the help guide the fight against crime His two prime ministers, the Feder- T liberal government party the and Mayor of Meche- al Verhofstadt and the Flemish De- VLD has recently been making it- len is being held up as an example wael, are also doing their best to self heard. First there was the ini- of a successful safety policy. highlight the liberal accents of gov- tiative of Euro-MP , De Standaard also spies a well- ernment policy. And sometimes who set up a pressure group with- thought-out strategy by the VLD they brutally put their coalition in the party in Antwerp under the (FF). partners in their place. The cocktail name Liberaal Appel with the aim being served them by their party of enticing voters away from the BOUDEWIJN VAN PETEGHEM • leaders has to make the vast major- Vlaams Blok. A week later there DE STANDAARD • 6 APRIL ity of VLD members continue to be- were the comments of VLD Parlia- lieve. Which does not prevent a gulf mentary Party Leader Jeanine Grow, we must grow to come to between the party leadership and Leduc in the , with which power. For years that was Verhofs- executive and the grass roots, she set the immigrant representa- tadt's credo. He therefore changed stresses . tives against her and earned the his party from PVV to VLD - the applause of the Vlaams Blok. A only real party modernisation of The liberal belief is useful in an week later Leduc repeated her per- the last twenty years. The other at- election victory and a party chair- formance on the commercial tempts at modernisation by politi- man is always judged by the results broadcaster VTM. Male immi- cal parties to make themselves of a vote. You can bet your life that grants who go and look for a part- more attractive to the voter are - De Gucht will play the tax cuts card ner in their country of origin, im- compared to VLD operation - noth- during the election campaign. It is migrants who refuse to learn our ing more than jostling in the wings. becoming more difficult to manip- language or integrate, the work- Grow remains even now the credo ulate his right flank with the sub- shyness of some immigrants, these of the VLD, that wants to dethrone ject of safety. It will be a long time things irritate her and she is let- the CD&V for a long time as key yet before the reform of the police ting everyone know about it. Johan player on the political field. But will really start to pay dividends in Leman's centre against racism many liberals do not believe in the the field. And there the stepping even felt it ought to begin an inves- NCD modernisation operation on down of will tigation into alleged racism in her which Karel De Gucht is working. change little in the major towns comments. VLD Chairman Karel and cities. There are rumblings in De Gucht is clearly weary of Boudewijn Bouckaert - lecturer at the VLD, but to win at the next Leduc's populist tendencies and and Chairman of elections the liberals will unite also gives her a slap on the wrist. , a political-liberal around the banner: fewer taxes and e Morgen (3 April) compares club - does not think that there will more safety. Dthe level of her displays with be a sudden shift to the right in the sour ramblings of an old woman VLD because the dissatisfaction of behind the counter of a café, but the dark-blue rank and file is scat- points out that a gulf is beginning tered. Furthermore, after such a to open up between the range of change of course the party will ideas of most likely leave the coalition and the Verhofstadt-Dewael-De Gucht we will get an Orange-Red-Green troika and the conservative wing majority (CD&V, SP.A, and Agalev), within the party. However, this predicts the lecturer. However, one same newspaper (30 March) also positive thing, maintains Bouck- sees in this a well-thought-out aert, is that in that case the strategy to remain the biggest par- prospect would appear of a major ty in Flanders. The beneficial effect centre-right formation that would of the Purple-Green renewal for permanently assume the role of the the party appears to have faded CD&V. away. In the latest opinion polls the VLD is slightly going back- There is no doubt that the Flemish wards. It is therefore changing liberals and democrats want to stay tack. Deep-blue topics such as tax in power after this first period in the cuts and safety are being pushed to government velvet. And governing the fore and are intended to pla- tones down the friction within the cate the conservative rank and file, party. To keep the tension within claims the paper. Premier Verhofs- his group under control, the VLD tadt is visiting the major cities - af- chairman sometimes speaks ter Charleroi comes Antwerp - to threateningly to his own people and

focus on FLANDERS • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13 6 budget and social policy

FLEMISH BUDGET frastructure. Finally, no definitive decisions were taken on the financ- ing of health and social care insur- Budgetary control and ance (budget of Welfare Minister Vogels, Agalev). It was, however, additional investments agreed that as planned, from Octo- ber elderly people in homes requir- FF EDITORIAL STAFF will also remain intact. Each year ing extensive care could also bene- that fund is topped up with bud- fit from the insurance. At present, n the end, the Flemish govern- getary surpluses. This time Trans- that is only the case for elderly peo- I ment's budgetary control (29 port, the Environment and Scientif- ple who receive home care. With a March) appeared not as difficult an ic Research were allowed to drain it compulsory contribution of only 10 exercise as had initially been for ‘sustainable’ investments. Steve euros, health and social care insur- feared. The required saving of 250 Stevaert is getting 75 million euros ance is likely to be looking at a million euros was achieved by extra to make ‘black crossroads’ deficit of 20 million euros by the means of a 1% saving in each de- safer and for waterways transport. end of this year. partment. Education (Minister Environment Minister Vera Dua Vanderpoorten), Welfare (Minister (Agalev) got 25 million euros extra Vogels) and Internal Affairs (Minis- for the warm reduction of pig SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS ter Van Grembergen) got away with stocks, a golden handshake (IN MILLIONS OF EURO) a saving of 0.6%. Minister-Presi- arrangement for pig farmers, who ROAD SECURITY, MISSING LINKS, CYCLE TRACKS 150 dent Dewael emphasised that his are willing to sell up. On top of that RAILWAY INVESTMENTS 5.6 government would continue to she received a further 37 million for INNOVATION CENTRE IMEC 37.1 comply with the orthodox bud- the purchase of woods and conser- ENVIRONMENT (PURCHASE OF WOODS getary standards of the High Coun- vation areas. Finally, Minister Van cil for Finances. Economic growth Mechelen (VLD) got 37 million ex- AND CONSERVATION AREAS) 37.1 of only 1% was being taken into ac- tra to develop the micro-electronic INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SCHOOLS 12.5 count, and debt was being reduced innovation centre Imec in Leuven, WARM REDUCTION OF PIG STOCK 25 quicker than planned, according to whereas Minister Vanderpoorten REMAINS 74.3 Dewael. The money box of the Fi- (VLD) is being given 12.5 million nance Fund for One-Off Expenses euros to modernise the schools in- SOURCE: TIJD

EMPLOYMENT

with Birdy, SN Air Brussels, and Despair among Sabena Thomas Cook Airlines. For the oth- er ex-Sabena employees the situa- pilots increases tion looks a little better. Of the 2033 Flemish former employees n 7 April an unemployed ex- Sabena employees at the Flemish who asked the VDAB for assistance OSabena pilot with five chil- Employment Office VDAB, is get- in finding work, 594 have found dren put a bullet in his head. Five ting despondent. ‘Actually the job jobs. months after the bankruptcy of market offers excellent prospects Sabena, the man saw his career for unemployed pilots. Most have and financial security reduced to trained as engineers, which means 750 euros a month. His wife was a they could quickly find jobs in all former stewardess with Sabena sectors of industry. There is also an DISMISSALS AT SABENA and had now found a job. For the interest from education. A great SITUATION NOVEMBER 2001 550 or so of the 700 Sabena pilots many ex-Sabena pilots have a who still have not found another young family and have run up con- DISMISSED JOB SEEKERS (in %) job, the situation is gradually be- siderable debts. Such a job could coming hopeless, at least if they help them relieve the financial FLANDERS 3,945 53 1,637 22 still want to work as pilots. But for pressure. Even if it was just for a BRUSSELS 1,779 24 a pilot another job is unmention- couple of years. But apart from one able. Furthermore, without a new or two exceptions, they are ex- SITUATION TODAY airline they are in danger of loos- tremely dismissive of these job of- JOB SEEKERS ing their pilot's licences at the end fers.’ Money has nothing to do with FLANDERS 2,180 of this year. Although they can it, stresses Goethals. ‘Most of them WALLONIA 1,404 count on financial support from are prepared to take a significant BRUSSELS 1,034 the Flemish and Federal govern- pay cut if they can just start work as TOTAL 4,618 ments to renew their licences (FF). a pilot again. Flying is a passion for these people. But we must remain SITUATION TODAY PIETER LEURIDAN • GAZET VAN realistic. It does not look as if the FOUND A JOB (in %) ANTWERPEN • 9 APRIL aviation sector will be recruiting FLANDERS 45 again next year.’ Of the 150 ex- WALLONIA 14 Dirk Goethals, who co-ordinates Sabena pilots who are flying again, BRUSSELS 42 the employment unit for former the majority were able to find jobs

SOURCE: INFOGRAFIEK RUG

focus on FLANDERS • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13 social policy and culture 7

WORKING TIME is not entirely new. It first made an appearance in the 1980s. Then, the Onkelinx calls for four-day people behind the idea had a better use of the production apparatus in week mind. However, the politicians of the day bent it into an instrument n an interview with De Stan- Onkelinx wants to use this occa- for re-allocating work. At that time Idaard (8 April), Federal Minster sion to stand up for the promotion the problem was the shortage of for Labour, PS Deputy Premier of the four-day week, with or with- jobs. They therefore wanted to di- Laurette Onkelinx (PS) speaks in out loss of pay (FF). vide the scarce work between as favour of a four-day week without many people as possible. Today the a reduction in working time and Opinion main problem, at least in Flanders, without loss of pay. Employees lies elsewhere, although the eco- should be able to voluntarily GUY TEGENBOS • DE STANDAARD • nomic downturn has made this all switch to a four-day week, in 8 APRIL but indiscernible. Over the coming which just as many hours are years a shortage of manpower will worked, but spread over fewer The voluntary four-day week as a be much more likely than a short- days, she says. Onkelinx is also im- reorganisation of working time age of jobs. The four-day week with pressed by the success currently championed today by Minister and without a reduction in work- being enjoyed by the four-fifths ca- Laurette Onkelinx is defensible in ing time is good for keeping people reer with loss of pay. Employees a number of companies and situa- in work more easily and promoting are being encouraged towards this tions. Onkelinx can get Flemish their welfare. But this only increas- by all manner of bonuses. At the Minister Steve Stevaert (SP.A) on es the need for the large group of end of this month the government her side if he realises that it also re- people not in work to be activated. will study how the jumble of exist- duces traffic jams. Onkelinx's That will be the sticking point. ing career plans can be simplified. range of ideas on the four-day week

EXHIBITION ern art of the south is seen as imag- inative, gracious and even sensual, A Holland-Belgium in art that of the north as serene and sim- ple, serious and even strict. These are clichés that are not entirely in- hent's Museum for Fine Arts is voluntarily weighs the works up correct. Not by chance is Magritte Gcurrently hosting a new sort against each other. It is precisely Belgian and Mondriaan Dutch. of ‘Low Countries Derby.’ The this chauvinistic exercise that The exhibition opens with a paint- Flemish art historian Marc Lam- makes the exhibition such a plea- ing from 1889 by James Ensor, brechts came up with the idea of sure, claims Tijd Cultuur (FF). placed next to a canvas from 1893 comparing Dutch and Belgian art by Floris Verster, both a still life from the first half of the twentieth BERT POPELIER • TIJD CULTUUR • with flowers. What is immediately century. Under the title ‘Affinity 10 APRIL striking is that both paintings are and Individuality’ he brings some post-impressionist, but Verster re- 90 works face to face on the basis The period of time in question, mains closer to reality than Ensor. of common stylistic features or from 1890 to 1945, pretty much be- It is that sort of difference that will subjects. Big names such as George gins with the Belgian group of also distinguish many Dutch from Breitner, Kees van Dongen, Theo artists Les XX, and ends just before Belgians at a later date. Belgians ev- van Doesburg, and Piet Mondriaan the emergence of Cobra and the Je- idently want to dream, to show (NL) or Emile Claus, Frans Khnopff une Peinture Belge. Much has al- what lies concealed behind the vis- and Georges Vantongerloo (B) al- ready been said of the similarities ible reality. This perhaps explains ternate with unknown artists. The and differences between Belgian why symbolism around 1900 and whole thing provides an overview and Dutch art of the past, mostly surrealism around 1930 were much of the North-South dialogue in generalisations. In comparison more strongly represented in Bel- styles and trends, from post-im- with the art of other European re- gium than in the Netherlands. pressionism and symbolism via ex- gions, the art of both the north and Obviously the similarities and dif- pressionism and the various avant- south displayed a strong inclina- ferences are easiest to highlight in gardes to the new realism of before tion towards realism, intense ob- the years in which mutual contacts and during the Second World War. servation and accurate description were most frequent. The Dutch art When putting together his ‘miscel- of the visible. The main differences historian Piet Boyens has shown lany’ of works, Lambrechts by his in outlook would only come with that two of the most important own admission favoured the un- the splitting of the Netherlands, Flemish expressionists, Gust de suspecting approach of the wan- around 1600. The south brought Smet and Frits van den Berghe, de- dering visitor rather than letting forth Bruegel and Rubens, the north veloped considerably during their himself be guided by scholarly cri- Vermeer and Saenredam. Put an- stays in the Netherlands. Both teria. The exhibition is surprising other way, Catholics versus Protes- artists had fled to the neutral because it reveals so many un- tants, the hungry vital urge versus Netherlands during the First World known affinities. But the visitor in- the quiet self-assurance. The mod- War. There they became acquaint-

focus on FLANDERS • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13 8 culture ed with the work of, among others, for the first time the graphic art of stract avant-garde. Surrealism is Jan Sluyters, Leo Gestel, and van the German Expressionists, includ- largely ignored, because Dutch sur- Dongen, who thanks to their visits ed in art periodicals such as ‘Der realism did not amount to much. to or stays in Paris were familiar Sturm’ and ‘Das Kunstblatt’. In the with the new outlooks of cubism, exhibition's final rooms, which Flanders region of culture futurism, and fauvism. In the deal with the period from 1925 to www.flanders.be Netherlands the Belgians also saw 1945, the emphasis is on the ab-

• 19 and 20 April: Mirth by Arco Renz, • Until 13 May: exhibition: Attachment dance, Monty, Antwerp; +, contemporary art, Normaalschool Diary info: 03/238.91.81 • Until 26 May: Rik Wouters, exhibition, • Until 23 April: Institute for living voice KMSK, Anwerp; info: 03/238.78.09 MUSIC, DANCE THEATRE # 2', concerts, wokshops and debates in www.antwerpen.be/cultuur/kmska ; info: www.transparant.be; • Until 26 May: Rik Wouters, exhibition, • Until 17 November: Brugges 2002, Cul- 050/44.30.60, www.brugge2002.be PSK, Brussels; info: 02/507.84.66 tural Capital of Europe; • 19 and 20 April: Inbal Pinto/Avshalom www.pskpba.be info: 070/22.33.02 www.brugge2002.be Pollak - Boobies, dance, De Singel, • Until 12 May: Muhka exhibitions: Guy • Until 23 April: Die Meistersinger von Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 Mees, Dimitri Vangrunderbeek and Paul Nürnberg by Richard Wagner, Flanders www.desingel.be de Vree, Antwerp; info: 03/238.59.60 Opera, Ghent; info: 09/225.24.25 • 24 April: Hariprasad Chaurasia & En- www. www.vlaamseopera.be semble (India), Ragas for the evening De • Until 25 June: Photo Festival Knokke- • Until 28 April: Festival Robert Altman, Singel, Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 Heist with Erwin Olaf, Paradise 2001, Filmmuseum, Antwerp; www.desingel.be Photo Exhibition, CC Scharpoord, info: 03/233.85.71 • 25 April: Emerson Quartet with Quar- Knokke-Heist • Until 30 April: Festival South USA, tett+ by Chostacovich, De Singel, • Until 21 April: Seen from outside: Filmmuseum Brussels; Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 Flanders Opera in Ghent, exhibition; info: 02/507.83.83 www.desingel.be info: 09/225.24.25 www.vlaamseopera.be • Until 18 April: Cavalleria Rusticana by • 25, 26 and 27 April: Farroukh Ghassim • Until 18 July: Rubens and the Flemish Mascagni and Pagliacci by Leoncavallo, and Aharoen, The Antichrist, Tadchi- Baroque painters, exhibition, City Hall, directed by Stein Winge, Royal Circus, kistan, Theatre, translations into Dutch Brussels; info: 02/279.64.34 Brussels; info: 070/233.939 and French; De Singel, Antwerp; • Until 26 May: James Welling: Abstract, www.demunt.be info: 03/248.28.28 www.desingel.be exhibition, PSK, Brussels; • 17 April: Sasha Waltz - Schaubühne info: 02/507.84.66 www.pskpba.be am Leniner Platz, with 'S', dance, De • Until 19 April: From Dürer to Goya, Singel, Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 EXPO exhibition with graphic work by Rem- www.desingel.be brandt, Van Dyck, Goya, Ribera, Piranesi • 17 and 18 April: Akram Khan, Loose in • Until 2 June 2002: Brains in action, and others, Instituto Cervantes, Brussels; Fight, Half and nine, Rush, dance, Kaai- exhibition, Museum of Natural Sciences, info: 02/737.01.90 theater, Brussels; info:02/201.59.59 Brussels; info: 02/627.42.52 www.bruselas.cervantes.es www.kaaitheater.be www.natuurwetenschappen.be • Until 21 April: William Christenberry, • 23 April: Amine Mesli & El-Açala El- • Until 2 June: About the Head, exhibi- Disappearing Places, PSK, Anticham- Andalous, Gharnati music from Tlem- tion, Museum Dr.Ghuislain, Ghent; bres, Brussels; info: 02/507.84.66 cen (Algeria), De Vooruit, Ghent; info: 09/216.35.95 www.fracarita.be www.pskpba.be info: 09/267.28.28 • Until 21 April: Paris 1900, exhibition, • Until 14 July: Silver work by the De • 30 April and 1 May: Akram Khan, Museum Elsene, info: 02/515.64.21 Vecchi Family, Provincial Museum Kaash, dance, de Vooruit, Ghent; • Until November: Living Tomorrow, Sterckshof-Zilvercentrum, Antwerp; info: 09/267.28.28 where visions meet, the house of the fu- info: 03/360.52.50 • 17 April: Godspeed you black Emperor, ture, Vilvoorde; info: www.livtom.be • Until 23 June, The Brueghel Firm, Ancienne Belgique, Brussels; • Until 21 April: Bert De Beul & Honoré exhibition, Royal Museums of Fine Arts, info: 02/548.24.24 www.abconcerts.be d’O, exhibition, MUHKA, Antwerp; Brussels; info: 02/508.32.11 • 26 April: Moiano, Cactus Club, Brugge; info: 03/238.59.60 • Until 16 June: Surrealism with Emile info: 050/33.20.14 • Until 30 June: Bruges 2002 Impact, Salkin (Bel), Desmond Morris (GB), • 27 April: Woven Hand, Botanique, 1902 Revisited: The Flemish Primitives Ergin Inan (Turkey) and Clovis Trouille Brussels; info: 02/218.37.32 at Bruges, exhibition, Arentshuis, Bruges; (Fr), exhibition, PMMK, Ostend; • 27 April: Indigo Girls, De Warande, info: 070/22.33.02 www.brugge2002.be info: 059/50.81.18 www.pmmk.be Turnhout; info: 014/41.69.91 • Until 30 June: Jan Van Eyck, The • 19 and 20 April: The Style streets, • 28 April: Bob Dylan, Vorst Nationaal, Flemish Primitives and the South, Bruges, art in the streets, Anno'02; Brussels; info: 0900/00991 Groeningemuseum, Bruges info: 070/22.50.02 www.anno-02.be • Until 20 April: Domino 2002, Festival: • Until 16 June: Affinity and Individuali- the margins of pop music, Ancienne ty, exhibition Holland-Belgium between Belgique, Brussels; info: 02/548.24.24 1890 and 1945, Museum of Fine Arts, la flan www.abconcerts.be ur dre Ghent; info: 09/240.07.50 s • s f u o c c o u f s

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focus on FLANDERS • 6 April- 12 April 2002 • Number 13