Where, oh where Wednesday: Ghent, Minnesota

We have moved on to Stage 4 of our Home Assignment and are currently in the area of Minneapolis-St. Paul. This is the main urban area of the state of Minnesota in the northern Midwest. The “Twin Cities” of Minneapolis and St. Paul straddle the Mississippi River which runs through the city on its way to the Gulf of Mexico after crossing through the middle of the United States. 

Much of Minnesota is historically populated by Scandinavians who came to the US looking for new opportunities. But as with so many places around the world, both Belgians and Dutch settlers also left their mark. There is even a village named Ghent, Minnesota. This village (population 376), named after the major city in the west of Belgium, was first established as part of a colony in 1881 for Irish settlers, but it attracted Belgian and Dutch families. The area - including Marshall and Minneota - remains a notable Flemish-Dutch ethnic settlement today. 

Ghent itself is known as the “Rolle Bolle capitol of the world”. Rolle Bolle is a sort of sport looking like a mix between curling and lawn bowling or jeu de boules. Originally it was known as “krulbollen” - literally “curve balls” - and was played in the Flemish region of Belgium before being brought to the US. It is played with wheels that curl in to a pin in the ground. 

In addition to these namesakes, there is plenty of Dutch and Belgian culture throughout the state. Belgian Malinois (a very intelligent dog breed used often for the police and military) are bred in Rochester and St. Paul. One can find Belgian beer at the Thirsty Belgian in Rochester. Or one could go to the Holland neighborhood in Minneapolis to find the Dutch Bar. Old Dutch Foods is a well-known snack producer founded in St. Paul in 1934 and sporting a red and yellow windmill logo. Most people will recognize the logo and the potato chips.

We are looking forward to our time here, visiting with church family. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to discover some of these Dutch and Belgian tints as we enjoy the cities. 

Whensday: Flanders in the past

When one first visits Europe, one is struck by the age of everything. Maastricht is built on Roman ruins. I explain to people that when the Romans were first settling this area, Jesus was walking the streets of Jerusalem. When walking around Maastricht or Brussels or Antwerp or Amsterdam it is impossible to escape the age of everything. 

And yet, if you were to ask how old Belgium is, you would get a technically correct answer that Belgium is younger than the United States - while almost everyone would say that the US doesn’t have much history at all. But it is true: Belgium became a country when their king was crowned on July 21,1831. This was 55 years after the United States of America were formed. 

So how can places like Antwerp, Ghent, Brughe and Kortrijk be so old? Because these cultures have been around a lot loner than the borders of the country were decided on. As a matter of fact, many might be quite familiar with various Flemish historical figures. 

Ini the 13th and 14th centuries the cloth industry boomed in the area of Flanders and this area became one of the richest in Europe. Think of lace and linen and brightly coloured silks. It was in Flanders that these were made into products being sent all over Europe. And it was this luxury that was at the center of several conflicts with the king of France in that time. 

The ‘Battle of the Golden Spurs’ is celebrated as an amazing victory of the Flemish militia against a large force of mounted knights in 1302. The Flemish, unexpectedly, won the battle and shocked the known world at the time. France quickly set things straight and regained control of the province. 

Before this time, back in the 12th century, Flanders was ruled by counts. Philip 1, count of Flanders might have a connection to some movies that have been made about the crusades. He was a cousin of Baldwin IV who was the leper King of Jerusalem. Philip I tried to change various political situations in Flanders and ended up being the dividing line of when Flanders was independent to when it fell under the power of France. 

It was Philip who built Gravensteen (the castle of the counts) in Ghent. It is an imposing structure meant to let the burghers (literally citizens) who were the economic power of the city and area know that he was the one in charge. This struggle between political power and economic power has continued in this area to the present day. 

In the 14th century Flanders gave England its queen in Philippa, who married Edward II. She brought the textile industry to Norwich, encouraging Flemish weavers to settle there. She followed a long history of strong Flemish female leaders. And in Flanders, these women inherited and kept their names. This is why still today women in Belgium retain their maiden names. In Belgium Shirley is officially Shirley Ann Walker, even if she is Shirley Ann Raab in the United States.