flandersfocus on THE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 14 • 2 April - 8 April 2005

INTRODUCTION Broad consultation over la fland ur re s • s f n the slack period of the politi- u o c c o u cal Easter recess the death of f s I

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a • f o s k u inch by inch along the n 30 and 31 May there will be a KATRIEN VERSTRAETE • DE TIJD • 8 APRIL barriers in St Peter’s Square to Flemish Climate Conference, file past the embalmed body of O the dead prelate was the central news item of TV bul- announced the Flemish Minister for the The consultation process is being or- letins day after day. Environment and Energy, Kris Peeters ganised together with the Flanders So- (6 April) wonders whether most Flem- ings are not now sick and tired of the incessant news (CD&V). That will signal the start of a cial and Economic Council (Sociaal- on the Pope. But even the many Flemings who did broad round of consultations. Over the Economische Raad van Vlaanderen, not share his strict conservative ethical views now next few months employers, trade SERV) and the Environment and Nature suddenly appeared remarkably mild in their judge- ment of the prelate. He contributed significantly to unions and environmental organisa- Council of Flanders (Milieu- en Natuur- the dialogue between the religions, say several Flem- tions must reach as broad a consensus as raad Vlaanderen, MiNa Council). The ish Vatican-watchers, to which was added in a muf- possible on Flemish climate policy. The SERV is the consultative and advisory fled voice that the Pope ‘missed the connection with modernity’. That under the pontificate of John Paul II aim is both to outline a long-term vision body of the Flemish social partners the churches grew empty, a fact that was the subject and propose concrete environmental (employers and unions). The MiNa of frequent debate in recent years, was now not mentioned. And in Flanders this exodus and secular- measures for the current Flemish gov- Council includes representatives of the isation in general was striking. Practising Catholic ernment (up to 2009). According to De SERV, environmental and nature organ- Flemings have become a small minority, although Tijd, this modus operandi is unique in isations, the Association of Flemish believers or Flemings inspired by Christianity are def- initely not, according to surveys in recent years. This the political history of Flanders. The Cities and Municipalities (Vereniging broader category of ‘believers’ wants little to do with generally seeks a van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten) the temporary flare-up of popular devotion among political agreement first and only then and academics. the millions of pilgrims who flooded Rome this past week. De Morgen finds it a surprising spectacle (8 asks for advice. Thanks to the consulta- After the ‘high mass’ at the end of May April) and warns that this should not be confused tions, this order has been reversed (FF). work groups will address the various as- with the renewed search for meaning and spiritual- ity. The Gazet van Antwerpen in turn believes that pects of Flemish climate policy. Peeters Flemings are sometimes a little too quick to mock CONTENTS is asking the negotiators to establish the spectacle in Rome. A bit more understanding the main themes of a Flemish climate and respect would not do us any harm, says the pa- per. However, the critical stance held for years by be- Politics and Religion policy plan 2006-2012 which he wants lievers and even clergymen towards the Pope in Flan- How to involve Flemish Parliament to put before the Flemish Government ders could not prevent Cardinal Godfried Danneels in EU matters? 2 in October. from being viewed as a potential candidate for pope both in his own country and in the international Municipal tax drop is make-believe 2 Broadly tolerated proposals must pre- press. Celibacy called into question 2 vent rows from continually breaking Danneels is not considered to be one of the leading candidates, but could well provide a surprise as an out over the CD&V Minister’s environ- outsider, according to De Frankfurter Allgemeine, for Social policy mental policy measures. At the same example. That he spoke out against the official papal No job offers for Walloon unemployed 3 time, the round of talks will give social view for the use of condoms in the fight against AIDS, for women in the administration of the church ACV wants to introduce and economic partners and environ- and for less concentration of power in the Vatican, international trade union card 3 mental organisations the chance to in- may well count against him at first sight. But many fluence environmental policy from the commentators are convinced that if the cardinals opt for a change of style from his predecessor, Danneels Economy and Foreign Trade outset. Jan Turf of the environmental has a chance. At his press conference on the eve of Government cuts duty to umbrella organisation Bond Beter the funeral in Rome Danneels again demonstrated that he communicates very well in several languages, compensate for high price of diesel 4 Leefmilieu is enthusiastic. ‘This is a is media-friendly and despite his progressive views Gimv is being privatised 4 fantastic thing. Usually the advisory can easily steer a middle course. At this meeting he Towards a reorganisation of bodies the SERV and the MiNa Council explained his views on the profile the new pope should have. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, he is Flemish energy distribution 5 are only consulted at the end of a deci- depicting himself as the champion of the third way Shops for recycled goods are a huge sion-making process.’ between the conservative line and the modern success 6 Even VOKA, the Flemish network of ‘Third-World Pope’. Danneels was not prepared to comment on his own chances and those of the other Flanders is no stranger in Japan 6 enterprises, has reacted positively. One candidates. To a comment by a journalist that he is in of the subjects during the talks will be eighth place with international bookmakers, he re- sponded laconically ‘I’m not a horse’, like an accom- Media and Culture the fight against greenhouse gases after plished diplomat. VRT wants to launch digital channels 7 2012. Major examination and restoration ■ Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief of Rubens paintings 7 focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 2 POLITICS AND RELIGION

FLEMISH PARLIAMENT not tolerate any form of patronising by De Batselier wants to involve the Federal Parliaments. De Croo apparently answered that he under- stood that and shared De Batselier's Flemish Parlimant in Europe point of view. He also wants to put in place structures enabling the Flemish Parliament to To avoid rows over powers, De Batseli- closely follow and even modify European decision-making er is thinking of a procedure to indicate which parliament should take the lead Norbert De Batselier (SP.A), Chairman these agreements, says De Batselier, it in which dossier. of the Flemish Parliament, wants his is essential that the seven regional and De Batselier wants a mechanism Assembly not to be forgotten in Europe, community parliaments have the same whereby not only the Chamber and the even though the European Constitu- power as the Federal Parliament when- Senate but all Belgian parliaments are tion only mentions national parlia- ever the European Constitution speaks informed directly and without filtering ments. He wants the seven community of the ‘national’ parliaments of the by European institutions about Euro- and regional parliaments to be able to Member States. pean legislation negotiations. He wants take the lead in their areas of compe- Our country has produced a declaration the regions to be given the chance to tence and not be tutored by the Federal on this subject - Declaration 49 - but follow European decision-making as Parliament. He also wants to put in according to the Council of State this is closely as possible and if necessary to place structures enabling the Flemish not enforceable where European insti- modify it. For this, an ‘early intelli- Parliament to closely follow and even tutions are concerned. And so, says De gence system’ is needed so that Euro- modify European decision-making (FF). Batselier, the Belgian parliaments must pean rules become known at an early reach mutual agreements that guaran- stage. In any event, De Batselier wants BART DOBBELAERE • DE STANDAARD • tee that each one has the same rights to set up a Europe department in his 7 APRIL within its constitutional powers as the own parliament specifically to keep the Federal Parliament. Flemish Parliament involved at Euro- Because the European Constitution In any case, De Batselier has already pean policy level. only acknowledges national parlia- made it clear to his federal colleague ments, all Belgian parliaments have to Herman De Croo (VLD) in a letter of 10 enter into co-operation agreements. In March that the Flemish Parliament will ■

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS RELIGION Drop in municipal taxes Celibacy called into question by head of just make-believe Brothers of Love

residents are still paying considerably more taxes than in 2000 FF EDITOR ver the past five years, living in This year, Flemish local authorities are Now that Pope John Paul II has died, O the Flemish municipalities has cutting their supplementary personal several prominent clergymen in Flan- become significantly more expensive income tax on average to 7.16%, ders have also commented on what di- from the point of view of taxation. As whereas the average last year was rection they think the church should usual, the municipalities lower their 7.19%. That is no cause for celebra- take. Brother René Stockman, for ex- taxes when the local elections are tion, however, because in 2000 the rate ample, Head of the Brothers of Love approaching. They are doing the same was 6.59%, before rising each year worldwide, has brought celibacy up for this year, because there are elections thereafter. According to the Associa- discussion. It is time that priests can next year in October. The rates of their tion of Flemish Cities and Municipali- marry or that married men can become two main taxes, the supplementary ties (Vereniging van Vlaamse Steden en priests, he says. According to Stock- personal income tax and the mill rate Gemeenten, VVSG), in 60% of munici- man, it is still too soon for women on property, are being cut slightly. But palities the rate is higher than five priests. However, De Standaard (6 overall residents are still paying con- years ago. April) wonders whether married siderably more taxes than in 2000, the The story is exactly the same for sur- priests can solve the problem of the year of the last local elections (FF). charges on property. Here too the lack of priestly callings - a problem pri- Flemish municipalities are cutting the marily afflicting the West. And GUY FRANSEN • DE STANDAARD • 6 APRIL figure by a single unit from 1,305 to whether in any case married priests 1,304 in 2005, but in 2000 the average make the church more modern and Eighty per cent of the income the rate was only 1,074 units. The VVSG therefore more attractive. Flemish municipalities receive from says that in as many as 79% of Flemish Church specialists are not convinced taxes comes from supplementary per- municipalities more taxes are being that married priests solve much, the sonal income tax and the mill rate. Lo- paid on property than in 2000. paper concludes. Perhaps a few more cal councils are free to set the rates www.vvsg.be men will take the step, but a major in- themselves, although the government flux is not anticipated. The crisis of does provide for penalties for munici- faith in the West is too great for that, palities that charge excessively low the paper claims taxes. ■ ■

focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 SOCIAL POLICY 3

JOB MARKET we also call all unemployed people to an interview, as per the agreed plan. No individual job offers for They then receive an individual offer of training or a job. If they refuse, we Walloon unemployed report them to the RVA,’ says the VDAB. Thus, their unemployed are never punished, while Flemish ones are Over the past few days there were in- sufficient staff at the office of the Wal- loon Minister for Economic Affairs and Employment, Jean-Claude Marcourt ast year the Federal Government GUY TEGENBOS • DE STANDAARD • 4 APRIL (PS), to answer this. It was, however, L and the Walloon (Forem), Brussels stated that the RVA can call people it- (BGDA) and Flemish (VDAB) employ- Contrary to what was agreed, the Wal- self. Freya Van den Bossche confirms ment services agreed that after a certain loon service does not make individual that. ‘The RVA can call people itself; period of unemployment, each individ- job offers to its unemployed. Job offers they then have to prove that they have ual unemployed person would receive are placed on noticeboards, posted on a made sufficient applications and put in individual assistance and if necessary website, but an individual unemployed sufficient effort. Then penalties may would be offered training or a job. An person never receives an individual job still be applied, albeit months later. unemployed person who repeatedly offer. This means they can never refuse But what was agreed was different. refuses an offer of training or work an offer, and therefore cannot be pun- And my main concern is not penalties, would be reported to the Federal ished. but the rights of the unemployed in Employment Office (the RVA), which According to Freya Van den Bossche, Wallonia. They are entitled to receive could punish the work-shy person con- that is contrary to what was agreed and individual, tailored job offers.’ cerned, if necessary. But now it appears another agreement must urgently be that Wallonia and Brussels almost nev- reached this week. Flemish Minister- www.vdab.be er report such work-refusing people. President Yves Leterme (CD&V) and www.forem.be Thus, their unemployed are never pun- Flemish Employment Minister Frank www.rva.be ished, while Flemish ones are. In the Vandenbroucke (SP.A) are insisting on www.bgda.be past few days it has become clear why, it. reports De Standaard (4 April) (FF). ‘We have noticeboards and websites in Flanders too; we even send out e-mails and text messages with job offers. But ■

TRADE UNIONS

‘But because of the intervening eco- ACV calls for introduction nomic recession, that goal can no longer be achieved with the current system,’ says the union. If sufficient of international union card progress is not made, therefore, the This is intended to make it possible for a union member to call on another Flemish ACV wants to work with di- trade union abroad versity plans at company level. Fixed quotas are not yet possible. ‘The foreigners are not there to make that n 22 and 23 April the Flemish DE STANDAARD • 6 APRIL possible,’ says the ACV. The union is O wing of the Christian trade union more inclined to argue in favour of so- the ACV is holding its conference, the According to National Secretary Ilse called smart quotas (which take ac- main theme of which will be globalisa- Dielen, the system can be compared to count of a number of aspects of the for- tion. There, 600 militants will have to the recognition of foreign diplomas in eign community) with results lay down the policy lines for the next our country. commitments or undertakings. four years and examine how they can There are already agreements between The standpoints that will be further intensify the pressure on the Flemish our country and neighbouring coun- expressed at the conference concern Government to deal with the negative tries concerning cross-border workers, Flanders' socio-economic place within consequences of globalisation. One of she says. An international trade union globalisation. ‘We will be emphasising the most striking proposals the union is membership card takes things one step the way in which a Flemish policy can calling for is the introduction of an further. counter the consequences of globalisa- international trade union membership The ACV will also ask the Flemish tion and how that policy can influence card. This is intended to make it possi- Government to carry out an interim it,’ says Ilse Dielen. Topics such as in- ble for a union member to call on anoth- evaluation of the Vilvoorde Pact in the dustrial policy, career policy, the dereg- er trade union abroad and vice versa autumn of 2005, which was accepted ulation of services and sustainable de- give foreigners the chance to ask Bel- in 2001. One of the aims of the Vilvo- velopment will also be addressed. gian unions for help. Another central orde Pact was to obtain the propor- www.acw.be theme of the discussion will be the pro- tional participation of countrymen of portional representation of foreigners foreign origin in the labour market by in companies (FF). 2010. For this, 2,500 to 5,000 foreign workers should be taken on every year. ■

focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 4 ECONOMY

FEDERAL ECONOMIC POLICY fuel in 2005. And last year several air- Government cuts duty lines introduced a surcharge to com- pensate for the high cost of fuel. to compensate for high ‘Costs are rising sharply in the trans- port sector,’ says Isabelle De Maeght, spokeswoman for the transport federa- diesel price tion Febetra. ‘After the wage burden, fuel is our main burden. If companies The Verhofstadt government therefore felt the time was ripe to cannot pass this rise on to the cus- introduce a correction mechanism tomer - and that is not always easy without a clause in the contract - the his week the price of oil went FABIAN LEFEVERE • DE MORGEN • 7 APRIL situation will eventually become un- T through the roof. Over the past few tenable for a number of hauliers.’ days oil in New York reached a historic If the price of diesel rises above a cer- At Febetra they are still expecting high of more than 58 dollars. That tain level - 1.1 euros is being men- something from the so-called reverse effect has now died down somewhat, tioned - the government will cut duty cliquet. but prices at the pump remain high. to compensate. The government is in a That system is the mirror image of The Verhofstadt government therefore break-even situation: what they lose in what the government introduced in felt the time was ripe to introduce a cor- duty, they win back in higher VAT rev- 2003 to protect itself against all too rection mechanism. This consists of enue. sharp price cuts, which at the time was cutting the duty on fuel as soon as the This year alone, for example, the Fed- named regular cliquet. If the price of price of diesel exceeds a certain level, eral government received a further 15 oil falls below a certain level, the con- known as the so-called ‘reverse cli- million euros from the higher VAT on sumer will benefit only half. The rest quet’. At the first Council of Ministers fuel and by the end of 2005 that could of the price cut will be compensated after the Easter holidays the govern- even rise to 100 million euros. for by extra duty for the government. ment approved a royal decree to this The effects are massive. Het Laatste effect (FF). Nieuws yesterday reported that the high price could cost an average family an extra 120 euros in light, heating and ■

BANKS AND HOLDINGS first half of the year involving Belgian Regional Investment listed shares. London and American business banks are also competing for the order. It is expected that the actual Company Gimv facing placement is now fast approaching. The banks are already busy preparing imminent privatisation their marketing strategies.

The option of selling the package to a larger competitor such as Acker- www.gimv.be mans Van Haaren or Fortis Private Equity has now been abandoned

ia the Flemish Participation PASCAL DEN DOOVEN • DE STANDAARD • V Company (Vlaamse Partici- 7 APRIL patiemaatschappij, VPM), the Flemish Government now holds 70% of By Friday next week at the latest the the shares in the Flanders Regional business bankers must answer a series ■ Investment Company (Gewestelijke of questions on the intended share Investeringsmaatschappij, GIMV). It sale. Based on these answers, the gov- wants to dispose of 30 to 35% of these. ernment's advisers will give the job to DISTRIBUTION OF INTRINSIC VALUE But it wants to continue to sit on the those bankers they feel are best able to OF GIMV (24/02/05) Board of Directors and retain a blocking place the shares on the market at the (in million euro) minority. A privatisation committee, best price. 6% (70.9) 2% (20) Barco Other assisted by Bank De Groof, was asked Meanwhile, the continuing high price 28% (323.2) to steer this partial privatisation in the of the GIMV is beginning to make bro- Cash 18% (200.4) right direction. This has now entered kers nervous. ‘Normally the price Telenet its second phase. Until recently the drops when such a large package is possibility was still being considered of hanging over the market, but the selling the package to a larger competi- GIMV continues to remain around the tor such as Ackermans Van Haaren or 40 euros level, the highest in a long Fortis Private Equity. But this option time. It's inexplicable,’ said a financial has now been abandoned. A business specialist. 46% (523.2) banker must place the shares on the All the Belgian banks have applied to Private equity stock exchange and supervise the sale. place the government's shares. It will

(FF). be one of the biggest operations of the Source: ING

focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 ECONOMY AND SOCIAL POLICY 5

ENERGY the intermunicipal companies. The Towards a reorganisation talks between Electrabel and the mu- nicipalities have been confirmed by of energy distribution various sources. Electrabel is refusing to comment on the matter. Daniel Termont, Vice- in Flanders Chairman of Gedis, does not want to comment to avoid hampering the ne- The VREG no longer accepts that electricity supplier Electrabel has still gotiations. One tricky problem is the not disconnected its computer system from that of the intermunicipal control and shareholder structure of companies the new undertaking. The municipali- ties are hoping that the talks will bear The electricity producer Electrabel and activities of all the mixed intermunici- fruit this year. the Flemish municipalities are current- pal companies have been provided by The management of the distribution ly negotiating a sweeping reform of three companies. Netmanagement network is a natural monopoly and is energy distribution in Flanders. The Vlaanderen, a subsidiary of Electrabel, regulated by the government. The net- subject of the discussions is who will Indexis and Gedis. Gedis is owned by work must not be managed by a com- gain control of the future Flemish dis- the municipalities, while the intermu- pany that is also active as an electricity tribution company. The VREG, the nicipal companies hold shares in In- supplier, says one observer. The dis- government body whose job is to dexis. cussions are being held at the same ensure that all players observe the rules This structure suffered a great many time as negotiations on the sharehold- of the free energy market, believes that teething troubles when deregulation ership of the gas companies Distrigas as an electricity supplier, Electrabel began, but even now is not yet running (gas sales) and Fluxys (operator of the gains too great an advantage from the smoothly. Indexis in particular is hav- network of natural gas pipelines). The common computer system it shares ing to deal with a large number of prob- French utilities group Suez, Electra- with the mixed intermunicipal distrib- lems. The exchange of customer infor- bel's parent company, controls both ution companies. These distribution mation between Gedis and Indexis is companies. The municipalities, united companies - Indexis, Gedis and Electra- also still defective. In addition, these in the holding company Publigas, be- bel Netmanagement Vlaanderen - man- companies' computer systems are still lieve that the regulated activities of age and maintain 80% of Flanders' elec- linked to that of Electrabel. The com- Fluxys should be in the hands of the tricity and gas networks. Indexis is peting electricity suppliers are com- public sector. They are prepared to ex- responsible for reading electricity, gas plaining that as a result Electrabel is change their interest in Distrigas for a and water meters and for passing this the only player to have access to confi- larger interest in Fluxys. data on to the energy suppliers. Gedis dential customer information. takes care of the intermunicipal com- The political will exists to combine www.vreg.be panies' bookkeeping, organises cam- these activities. The municipalities are www.electrabel.be paigns on the rational use of energy and holding negotiations on this with Elec- www.indexis.be prepares investments in the low-volt- trabel, wrote De Standaard yesterday. www.gedis.be age network. But it is Electrabel Net- Another possibility is the merger of ■ management Vlaanderen in particular that still plays the key role in energy distribution. It is responsible for main- Increase of unemployment in Flanders taining and operating the electricity and gas networks. The VREG no longer At the end of March there were efit. The increase is partly down to accepts that electricity supplier Elec- 227,184 job-seekers in Flanders. That the inclusion in the figures of older trabel has still not disconnected its is an increase of 8.5% over the same job-seekers and employees of local computer system from that of the inter- period last year, announced Employ- employment agencies (plaatse- municipal companies, thereby putting ment Minister Frank Vandenbroucke lijke werkgelegenheidsagentschappen, other suppliers such as Luminus, Nuon (SP.A). Last month the increase came PWAs). Unemployment in Flanders or Essent at a disadvantage. The munic- to 7.9% on an annual basis. Of these currently lies at 8.48%. ipalities now want to merge Indexis, job-seekers, 172,659 are receiving ben- www.vdab.be Gedis and Netmanagement Vlaanderen (FF). NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED JOB SEEKERS INCREASES BY 8.5%

270,000 mar. 2001: 155,511 DAVID ADRIAEN • DE TIJD • 2 APRIL mar. 2002: 175,041 257,000 mar. 2003: 190,420 mar. 2004: 209,465 244,000 The cable network that connects the mar. 2005: 227,184 231,000 high-voltage cabins to the electricity 2005 2004 meter of a household or an SME is 218,000 managed by the intermunicipal distri- 205,000 2003 bution network operators. The vast 192,000 majority of these, the mixed intermu- 179,000 2002 nicipal companies, collaborate with 166,000 2001 their historical partner Electrabel. 153,000 Since the Flemish energy market was 140,000 deregulated in 2003, the operational JFMAMJJASOND Source: TIJD Graphics focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 6 ECONOMY AND FOREIGN TRADE

SOCIAL ECONOMY FOREIGN TRADE Shops specialised in recycled goods triple Flanders is no stranger in turnover Japan

econd-hand centres are now an inte- In Japan ‘Flanders’ is rather more familiar than ‘Belgium’ S gral part of the Flemish social econ- omy. They offer work to unskilled That Flanders is almost unknown weigh the negative points, such as workers and the long-term unemployed abroad and that foreign trade is there- complicated environmental legislation who get few if any chances on the ordi- fore better conducted under the Belgian and high taxation. nary job market. Theses shops collect flag is a frequently heard argument in The good economic relations between all manner of second-hand goods and some commercial and diplomatic cir- Japan and Flanders have not come sell them at low prices, if necessary cles. In Japan at any rate this argument about by themselves. Since 1994 the after giving them a facelift. In 1998 the does not hold water, claims the Gazet emphasis has been placed on Flanders second-hand sector was investigated van Antwerpen. There ‘Flanders’ is by our representatives from the FFIO for the first time by the Public Waste rather more familiar than "Belgium". and Export Vlaanderen (EV). A dy- Agency of Flanders (Openbare Vlaamse Flemish representatives have put Flan- namic team of seven people is headed Afvalstoffenmaatschappij, OVAM). ders on the Japanese map. Flemish eco- by Jan De Bock and Dirk De Ruyver. Since then the sector's turnover has nomic representatives in Japan present- They are responsible not only for trade tripled from 5.8 million euros to 15.2 ed the Flemish Minister for Foreign relations with Japan, but also with million euros, according to a recently Policy and Tourism, Geert Bourgeois Australia, New Zealand and Korea (the published report. (FF). (N-VA), who was in Japan last week, ‘Pacific’ region). The FFIO and EV are with one or two fine figures. But with- already working as a single team. How- KATRIEN VERSTRAETE • DE TIJD • 7 APRIL out doubt it is the aura of artistic Flem- ever, the two offices, in Tokyo and Os- ish cities such as Ghent, Antwerp and aka, will remain. Between 1998 and 2003, the number of Bruges in particular that rings bells Tourism is also an economic sector. shops rose from 58 to 97. Further with the Japanese (FF). Japanese tourism to Belgium is again growth to 106 shops was expected for on the up following several difficult 2004. Presumably they are now mainly ROGER VAN HOUTTE • GAZET VAN ANTWER- years. 11 September 2001, the eco- working on providing better service, PEN • 5 APRIL nomic recession in Japan, but also the improved collection and better sales, bankruptcy of Sabena and the SARS says the OVAM. ‘Every Fleming pro- There are various reasons for Flanders' epidemic in the Far East had halted the duces 6 to 8 kilograms of reusable reputation in Japan. The cultural aura growth of tourism between 2001 and waste a year. Some of that could also of Flanders and the fame of its artistic 2003. end up in these shops.’ cities are facts. In the ‘Flanders Cen- That now appears past. In the first five In 1998, second-hand shops collected ter’, Director Bernard Catrysse suc- months of 2004 the total number of 11,020 tonnes of reusable goods. In ceeds in introducing Flemish artists to Japanese stopping off in Belgium rose 2003 that had risen to 30,066 tonnes. a broad Japanese public. by 21% compared with 2003. The in- The percentage of second-hand furni- On an economic level, no fewer than crease is bigger in Flanders, says Wim ture collected has fallen in recent 150 Japanese firms have a presence in Vanseveren, Director-General of To- years, but remains the main group, Flanders. They employ 14,000 people. erisme Vlaanderen. Flanders' artistic with 11,286 tonnes and a share of 38%. Obviously that strengthens ties. Most cities provide healthy figures: Antwerp In second place are white goods of these Japanese firms are based in +16%, Bruges +50%, Ghent +17%, (fridges, freezers), followed by clothing Flemish Brabant, on the Antwerp-Lim- Leuven +57%, Mechelen +7% and and brown goods (TVs, computers). burg axis. In turn, around 70 Flemish Brussels +15%. In 2003, for which Of the items collected, 18,582 tonnes companies export to Japan. They are complete figures are available, 114,452 were sold in second-hand shops in mainly active in the foodstuffs sector Japanese tourists visited Belgium, good 2003. In 1998 that figure was just 7,847 (beer and chocolate are gaining further for 220,566 overnight stays or 1.4% of tonnes. Second-hand shops are becom- in importance), but also in diamonds all foreign bookings. 53% of them ing more and more popular. In 1998 (Antwerp in particular), chemicals, stopped off in Brussels, 42% in the they welcomed 831,000 paying cus- machines and the pharmaceutical sec- Flemish Region and 5% in the Walloon tomers, and in 2003 2.1 million. Fi- tor. The Flemish region accounts for Region. Tourism from Japan still has nally, more and more people are find- 90% of Belgian exports to Japan, or 2 enormous possibilities for growth. To- ing jobs in the second-hand sector. In billion euros on an annual basis. erisme Vlaanderen therefore hopes to 1999 there were 1,313, in 2003 2,244, The Flanders Foreign Investment Of- attract 250,000 Japanese tourists a year including 346 volunteers. According to fice currently monitors around thirty by 2007, good for 500,000 overnight the report, more people urgently need firms. ‘Flanders' assets are its multilin- stays. recruiting to cope with the success of gualism, its favourable location and www.ffio.jp /www.belgium- the second-hand shops. good infrastructure in the centre of travel.jp/www.flanders.jp / www.kringloopwinkel.be Western Europe, the reputation of www.ovam.be Flemish education (which heads the list in Europe), and consequently the good training of workers and high qual- ity of employees,’ says Director Jan De ■ Bock of the FFIO. These qualities out- ■

focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 CULTURE AND MEDIA 7

RADIO AND TELEVISION ing that he will get the go-ahead from the government to start a digital arts VRT wants to start digital and culture channel. The project is a joint-venture between VRT and the channels Dutch NOS. Both public channels would pay out 20 million euros to cre- According to Tony Mary, Managing Director, his company bid 6.6 million ate a Great-Dutch channel. Next year euros for the broadcasting rights to the Champions League VRT is also planning to launch an edu- cational channel, focusing on technol- ogy, history and architecture. Mary be- FF EDITOR Standaard (2 April). Mary also admits lieves such a channel to be part of the that the loss of the Champions League role a public channel should play. According to Tony Mary, Managing Di- and earlier the football World Champi- www.vrt.be rector of the public broadcaster VRT, onships in Germany is a heavy blow his company bid 6.6 million euros for for VRT. He also believes the public the broadcasting rights to the Champi- broadcaster has little chance of win- ons League. Since it was not VRT but ning the broadcasting rights to Belgian its competitor, the Flemish Media football. Because the VMMa owns Company (Vlaamse Mediamaatschap- open channels (VTM and Kanaaltwee) pij, VMMa) that won the rights, he is and the only Flemish subscription assuming that the commercial televi- channel (Canal+), it is at an advantage sion company made a higher bid. Ac- in negotiations over sports rights, cording to Mary, Kanaaltwee, the claims the VRT boss. VMMa's second channel, can never Nevertheless, Mary hopes that the earn the money back through advertis- public broadcaster will play a major ing revenue. Mary made these com- role in the breakthrough of digital tele- ments in the weekend edition of De vision. In the meantime, he is assum- ■

EXHIBITIONS layer of paint, is promising for the Royal Museums. The quality of the Large scale examination and painting is so high that it is likely to be by Rubens. renovation of Rubens’ paint- The three other panels that are being restored are ‘Christ and the adulterous ings in Flemish museums woman’, ‘The triumph of faith’ and ‘Mary and the periwinkle’. The work is being carried out by a The project will culminate in a major exhibition in the autumn of 2007 team of restorers under the supervision of the curators of the Royal Museums. They are part of an ambitious Rubens he Royal Museums of Fine Arts of manding restoration such as that of the project in which the 52 paintings and T Belgium are restoring five of their 'Crowning of Mary',’ says Joost Van der oil paint sketches from the Royal Mu- Rubens paintings, including the monu- Auwera, curator of seventeenth cen- seums' collection will be thoroughly mental "Crowning of Mary". The opera- tury Flemish art in the Royal Muse- examined in the laboratory for the first tion is being made possible by the ums. time. patronage of the Interbrew-Baillet The restoration of the gigantic work of ‘By examining the paintings with radi- Latour Fund. At the same time the Roy- art means two years' work for three re- ography and infrared photography, by al Museums are for the first time hav- storers. The painting is so big and frag- gauging the age of the wood and by ing their large Rubens collection, con- ile that it cannot be moved. The analysing the pigments of some works, taining 52 paintings, systematically facelift is taking place in the Rubens the laboratory examination will pro- examined with modern techniques Room itself, where the public can fol- vide a wealth of new information,’ says such as infrared photography, radiogra- low the work step by step. Joost Van de Auwera. ‘On some paint- phy and pigment analysis. The project ‘In earlier restorations the work was ings the signature will become visible. will culminate in a major exhibition in painted over in various places,’ says This will give us a better insight into the autumn of 2007 (FF). Van der Auwera. ‘This is now being re- the authenticity of the pieces, which moved, so that we can again see the in some cases has been disputed for JAN VAN HOVE - DE STANDAARD - 6 APRIL original layer of paint of the 'Crown- years in specialist literature. We hope ing. This will bring the work closer to this examination will throw new light The Interbrew-Baillet Latour Fund is the appearance Rubens intended.’ on how Rubens organised his studio.’ known for its support of scientific re- The ‘Portrait of Helena Fourment’ is search, primarily in the field of medi- also being treated. Some specialists www.fine-arts-museum.be cine. But it also funds restoration pro- doubt whether this is actually by jects. ‘Without outside help the Royal Rubens. The initial results of the Museums could not carry out a de- cleaning, which will reveal the original ■

focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 8 CULTURE

• 15 April: Souad Massi, Stadsschouwburg, • 23 April: Marike Jager / Martha Wain- Brugge; info: www.springsessions.be wright / A Girl Called Eddy / Mia Doi Todd Diary 050/44 30 60 / Kathleen Edwards; Handelsbeurs, Ghent; • 15 to 24 April: Grand Hotel Europe, Liter- info: www.handelsbeurs.be ary meetings; more than 20 national and MUSIC, DANCE, THEATRE international writers are invited to the EXPO Bozar (with Philippe Besson (France), Javier • 13 and 16 April: Giovanna D’arco by • Until 17 April: Jazz in Little Belgium, Cercas (Spain), Alan Cherchesov Giuseppe Verdi, Concert Version, Dramma MIM-museum (musical instruments), (Russia),Alan Hollinghurst (UK– Booker Lirico wit a prologue and 3 acts, libretto by Brussels; info: www.mim.fgov.be Prize 2004), Edward P. Jones (US – Pulitzer Temistocle Solera, based on Die Jungfrau • Until 4 May: Rudolf Lange, war witness, Prize 2004), Erwin Mortier (Belgium), von Orleans by Friedrich von Schiller, Con- In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres; Glenn Patterson (Ireland), Saïd (Iran/Ger), ductor: Silvio Varviso, Bijloke, Ghent and info: www.inflandersfields.be Danièle Sallenave (France) and Chika Unig- Flanders Opera Antwerp; info: • From 5 February onwards: The memory of we (Nigeria/Belg)., Brussels; info: www.vlaamseopera.be Congo, the colonial period, exhibition, www.bozar.be www.grandhoteleurope.be • 14 April: Nathalie Loriers and Yadh Elyes, Museum for Central Africa (Tervuren); info: • 16 April: Baqsi & Zhyrau Ensemble, Jazz, Flagey, Brussels; info: www.flagey.be www.175-25.be Karakal, Pakistan; Zuiderpershuis, • 14 April: Nederlands Blazers Ensemble • Until 17 April: SMAK-exhibitions: André- Antwerp; info: www.zuiderpershuis.be and Aynur (Turkey); Zuiderpershuis, Philip Lemke, Orla Barry, Michaël Borre- • 16 April: Music Fund is a partnership Antwerp; info: www.zuiderpershuis.be mans and Bernd Lohaus + opening Art between New Music Society, Luthiers sans 03/248 01 00 Now-exhibition with Ivo Provoost & Frontières and Oxfam-Solidariteit in order • 14 April: Akademie für alte Musik Berlin Simona Denicolai, SMAK, Ghent; to collect musical instruments and then – Rias Kammerchor conducted by Daniel info: www.smak.be organize their donation to countries in the Reuss, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Kyrie, • Until 15 May: The Maroccan Jews, Jewish South; First collection for Palestina; Flagey, Chöre (Thamos, König von Ägypten), Lita- Museum of Belgium, Brussels; Brussels; info: www.flagey.be niae de venerabilis altaris sacramento, info: 02/512.19.63 • 18 April: Collegium Vocale conducted by Bozar, Brussels; info: www.bozar.be • Until 15 May: Particular visions, Phillip Herreweghe, Concerto Palatino by • 14 April: Spectra Ensemble with a por- exhibition with work from studios of dis- Heinrich Schütz; De Singel, Antwerp; trait of Györgi Ligeti, Bijloke, Ghent; info: abled people; Bozar, Brussels; info: www.desingel.be 03/248 28 28 www.bijloke.be info: www.bozar.be • 19 April: Champ d’Action & Marc Van- • 14 April: Boris Berezovsky (piano) with • Until 15 May: Belgium 175-25, a runxt (Kunst/Werk) Stockhausen, Feldman, N. Medtner, D. Llywelyn and J. Brahms, celebration programme with music, dance, Globokar, Kaaitheater, Brussels; Handelsbeurs, Ghent; info: www.handels- theatre, Bozar, Brussels; info: www.bozar.be info: www.kaaitheater.be beurs.be 09/265 91 65 • Until 15 May: René Magritte and • 19 April: Spiritual Unity, Jazz, Vooruit • 15 and 17 April: National Orchestra of Photography, exhibition, Bozar, Brussels; Ghent with Albert Ayler, Marc Ribot, Belgium conducted by Mikko Franck with info: www.bozar.be Charles Grimes and Chad Taylor; Hilary Hahn, Violin; compositions by Hen- • Until spring 2005: Loam Mosques in info: www.vooruit.be 09/267 28 28 ri Vieuxtemps and Einojuhani Rautavaara, Djenné (Mali), Photo exhibition, Bozar, • 20 April: Ane Brun / Mary Lorson / Bozar, Brussels; info: www.bozar.be Brussels; info: www.bozar.be Sergeant Petter, Handelsbeurs, Ghent; • 15 April: deFilharmonie conducted by • 18 to 22 March: Eurantica Brussels 2005, info: www.handelsbeurs.be Daniele Calegari with Pianoconcerto and Fine Art & Antiques fair, theme: light and • 21 April: Rebekke Bakken (Nor), Roma, Manfred Symphony by Tchaikovsky, De Art Nouveau, Expo, Brussels; info: Antwerp; info: www.deroma.be 03/235 04 90 Bijloke, Ghent; info: www.bijloke.be www.eurantica.be • 21 April: Tres Chicas / Waterson Carthy / • 16 April: Rabih Abou-Khalil, Handels- • From 19 March: Emotion Pictures, exhibi- Kate & Anna McGarrigle Handelsbeurs, beurs, Ghent; info: www.handelsbeurs.be tion, MuHKA, Antwerp; Ghent; info: www.handelsbeurs.be 09/265 91 65 info: www.muhka.be • 21 April: Théâtre de Poche/Allah n’est • 15 April: Tito Paris (Cabo Verde); Zuider- • From 19 March: The Final Floor Show, pas obligé (Bel/Afr); Zuiderpershuis, pershuis, Antwerp; info: www.zuiderper- exhibition, Objectif Exhibitions, Borger- Antwerp; info: www.zuiderpershuis.be shuis.be 03/248 01 00 hout (Antwerp) • 21 to 23 April: Christelle Fillod and • 16 April: Saez, AB, Brussels; info: • From 19 March: Are we changing the Yukiko Shinozaki, Inner Horizon, choreog- www.abconcerts.be world? Exhibition, Extra City, Antwerp raphy and dance; Kaaitheaterstudios, Brus- • 15 and 16 April: Incubator by Philipp • Until 15 May: Visionary Belgium, an sels; info: www.kaaitheater.be Gehmacher (Austria), dance, Kaaitheater, exhibition by the late Harald Szeeman • 22 April: Aldo Ciccolini, Pianorecital Brussels; info: www.kaaitheater.be Bozar, Brussels; info: 02/507.82.00 with Claude Debussy, Préludes and • 18 April: KREMERata Baltica – Amster- www.bozar.be Franz Liszt, Concertgebouw, Bruges; dam Sinfonietta conducted by Gustavo • Until 16 May: Mé-tissages, exhibition info: www.concertgebouw.be Dudamel with Gidon Kremer (Violin); com- about art and textile, Miat (Museum for • 22 April: India Martinez & Angel Pastor positions by Shostakovich, Bela Bartok, Industrial Archeology and Textile, Ghent; (Spa); Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp; Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein; info: www.miat.gent.be info: www.zuiderpershuis.be Bozar, Brussels; info: www.bozar.be • Until 5 June: El fruto de la fe, Flemish • 22 April: Big Low / Black Lipstick / Hugh • 13 to 16 April: Romeo Castelluci with gothic art from La Palma, Sint-Pietersabdij, Cornwell’s Three Piece Suite Handelsbeurs, Societas Raffaello Sanzio, B.#03 Berlin; De Ghent; info: www.gent.be/spa 09/243.97.30 Ghent; info: www.handelsbeurs.be Singel, Antwerp; info: www.desingel.be • 15 to 18 April: ArtBrussels, 23rd Contem- • 14 April: Flemish Radio Orchestra con- porary Art Fair, Brussels Expo; info: ducted by Martin Brabbins with composi- www.artbrussels.com tions by Elliot Carter; De Singel, Antwerp; la flan ur dre ■ s • s f info: www.desingel.be 03/248 28 28 u o c c o u f s

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k Cauwelaert (director Knack), Wim Coessens (Man- u • Responsible editor: aging director, De Morgen), Frans Crols (Director, Luc Demeester, Marke Trends), Francis Decoster (Information Officer, • Subscription rate by post and e-mail: 220 euro Flemish Community), Mark Deweerdt (Journalist, Focus on Flanders provides a weekly • Either transfer the sum to account no.: Financieel-Economische Tijd), Michael Stabenow 472-1010001-19 with the KBC in Roeselare overview of articles from the Flemish press (Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), Or give us the number and expiry date of your cred- Luc Standaert (Journalist, Belang van Limburg), Jan and appears in English, French and German. it card (Visa/Eurocard): Van Doren (Deputy Director, Vlaams Economisch This newsletter is published Telephone: 051/42.42.99 Verbond), Bernard Bulcke (De Standaard) Fax: 051/40.11.52 •With thanks to: Concentra nv, De Vlijt nv, de by Uitgeverij Lannoo nv, E-mail: [email protected] Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij nv, De Persgroep Kasteelstraat 97, 8700 Tielt nv, Uitgeversbedrijf Tijd nv and Roularta Media and can also be obtained Group nv and their editorial teams for supplying the articles. by e-mail.

focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14