Who's ho ?

De Financieel-ekonomische Tijd: Is the most important newspaper for financial and economical news in Flanders. The newspaper was founded by the VEV (Vlaams Economisch Verbond - Flemish Employers' Federation) and is printed daily on 52.000 copies.

Het Nieuwsblad: Is one of the more popular newspapers in Flanders. It is owned by the Flemish Publishing Company "VUM", that also publishes De Standaard. It has regional editions in Gent (De Gentenaar) and Antwerp ('t Stad) and is printed daily on 231.000 copies.

Knack: Is the most important weekly general interest magazine in Flanders. It is published by Roularta, which also publishes "Trends" and maintains financial interests in several Flemish TV stations. Knack is printed weekly on 123.000 copies.

Trends: Is the most important financial-economical magazine in Flanders and is aimed towards the economical executives and descicion makers. Trends is published by media group Roularta, which also publishes Knack, and has shares in several Flemish TV stations.

The instruments fit well into bands, for their sound blends well with brass and woodwind instruments; their application to the orchestra has been more limited, because saxophones tend to dominate the varied tonal characteristics of that ensemble. Saxophones are made in seven sizes and pitch levels, spanning the entire spectrum of wind-instrument pitches.

The most common are the alto and tenor saxophones. Although composers of "serious" music have written for it, the instrument has been most effectively used in jazz and popular music, and numerous jazz perfomers have risen to fame playing the sax.

Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993), the Belgian-born actor and humanitarian, became one of Hollywood's best-known stars with her leading roles in films such as “Roman Holiday” (1953), “Funny Face” (1957) and “Breakfast at Tiffany's” (1961).

She was born Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston in Brussels. Her father was a British banker and her mother a Dutch baroness, and Hepburn was educated at private schools in England and the Netherlands. In World War II (1939-1945) she suffered oppression and malnutrition while living in the Netherlands with her family during the Nazi occupation. She later worked as a model, and started acting in films in 1951.

Hepburn starred in many movies, including “War and Peace” (1956), “The Unforgiven” (1960), “Charade” (1963) and “My Fair Lady” (1964). She won an Academy Award as best actress for her role in “Roman Holiday” and was nominated for best actress for her roles in “Sabrina” (1954), “The Nun's Story” (1959), “Breakfast at Tiffany's” and “Wait Until Dark” (1967).

His early works were of traditional subjects - landscapes, still lifes, portraits, interiors - painted in deep, rich colors and lighted by subdued but vibrant light. In the mid-1880s, influenced by the bright color of the impressionists and the grotesque imagery of earlier Flemish masters such as Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Ensor turned toward avant-garde themes and styles.

He took his subject matter principally from Ostend's holiday crowds, which filled him with revulsion and disgust. Portraying individuals as clowns or skeletons or replacing their faces with carnival masks, he represented humanity as stupid, smirking, vain, and loathsome.

Ensor deliberately used harsh, garish colors and violent, broken brushstrokes to heighten the violent effect of his subjects. His work had an important influence on 20th-century painting, his lurid subject matter paving the way for surrealism and Dada, and his techniques - particularly his brushwork and his coloristic sense - leading directly to expressionism.

Bert Anciaux (Volksunie): Former president of the Volksunie and today a minister in the Flemish government. Bert Anciaux is a very popular politician and attracts many votes for his party in Flanders. He epitomizes the progressive movement within the Volksunie.

Dany Jacobs: Dr. Dany Jacobs is senior researcher/advisor at the TNO Research Centre for Technology and Administration in Apeldoorn, and professor in Innovation and External Organisation at the Technical university Eindhoven.

Eddy Merckx : It is very rare in any sport that one is able to state that one man was undoubtedly the greatest ever. But such is the case in cycling with Eddy Merckx of Belgium, born on 17 June 1945 in Meensel-Kiezegem. He was so strong and rode so hard so consistently that his nickname was "The Cannibal". He had no weaknesses - he was the strongest time trialist and climber in the world, and could outsprint all but a few rivals. His list of major victories is staggering. He is only one of three cyclists to win the Tour de France five times, along with Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault. At the 1969 Tour de France, Merckx performed the still unequalled feat of winning the Yellow Jersey (overall winner), the Green Jersey (points winner) and the Polka-Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains).

Merckx was a professional cyclist. By the age of 28 he had surpassed more records than any other racer, with more than 300 professional victories. He won the world amateur cycling championship in 1964, and in 1967 he captured the world professional cycling title. He became the first man to win all of the major scoring classifications in both the 1968 Giro d'Italia and the 1969 Tour de France. He was Belgian Sportsman of the Year each year from 1969 to 1974.

In his prime he was virtually unbeatable at time trials and mountain races; in sprint events none but the world's fastest ever defeated him. Merckx rode about 32,180 km (20,000 miles) per year for training and another 16,120 km (10,000 miles) annually in races. He set World Records in Mexico City in 1972 for 10km (11 minutes 53.2 seconds), 20km (24 minutes 6.8 seconds) and the 1 hour record (49.431957 km). These records were later beaten but this was only possible with the help of updated technology. Nobody could ever beat Merckx's records using the same technology as he did. Eddy's son has also taken up professional cycling and it remains to be seen whether he can even get close to the brilliant career of his father.

The Tour de France is cycling's most famous international event. Started in 1903 by Henri Desgrange, the stage race covers a course that varies from about 4,000 km to 4,800 km (2,500 miles to 3,000 miles) over roads and mountain passes throughout France and portions of five neighbouring countries. The 3-week event attracts the greatest cyclists; the winner is generally acknowledged as the world's best cyclist.

The first bicycle race was held at the Parc de St. Cloud, France, in 1868. Recognized world championships were first held in 1893. As competition became more widespread, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) was established in 1900 to govern all amateur and professional events. The United States, France, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland were charter members of this group, which now represents over 110 nations. Winners are currently established in 14 categories. The Olympic Games has competitions in both road and track racing for a total of eight events.

Filip Dewinter (Vlaams Blok): Generally regarded as the "hardliner" of the Vlaams Blok. He has profiled himself most strongly within the party with his anti-immigration policies. Filip Dewinter is especially popular in the Antwerp region

Geert Bourgeois: One of the leading figures within the Volksunie. He is generally considered to be the standard bearer of the pro-Flemish" fraction within the Volksunie. He was the president of the Volkunie until he in January 2001, as a result of the continuing disputes within his party.

Der Rechtsanwalt vollzog seit Mitte der 1970er Jahre eine aufsteigende Karriere bei den belgischen Liberalen. Vor dem Hintergrund der jüngsten Polit- und Justizskandale Belgiens ist Guy Verhofstadt seit Mitte 1999 als Ministerpräsident des Landes in eine radikale Umgestaltung des Systems involviert, die seine lila-grüne Koalition gegen die schwarze Opposition stetig vorantreibt.

1976 trat Verhofstadt in die „Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang“ (PVV), also in die liberale „Partei für Freiheit und Fortschritt“, ein, für die er noch im selben Jahr in den Stadtrat von Gent einzog. Dort blieb er bis 1982 vertreten.

Zugleich war Verhofstadt 1977-1981 als Sekretär des PVV-Vorsitzenden Willy De Clerq tätig. 1978-1984 saß er für den Genter Distrikt im Repräsentantenhaus. Für denselben Bezirk wurde er schließlich 1979 zum stellvertretenden Vorsitzenden der PVV erhoben.

Im selben Jahr berief man Verhofstadt auch an die Spitze der nationalen Jugendorganisation der PVV-Liberalen. 1982-1985 amtierte er überdies als Vorsitzender der PVV auf nationaler Ebene, wobei er den jüngsten Parteivorsitzenden Belgiens abgab.

Zugleich amtierte er 1989-1992 erneut als PVV-Vorsitzender. Mit der Umwandlung der Partei in die „Vlaamse Liberalen en Demokraten - Partij van de Burger“ (VLD), also die „Flämische Liberalen und Demokraten - Bürgerpartei“, wurde Verhofstadt nun als VLD-Vorsitzender bestätigt, als welcher er 1992-1995 und 1997-1999 fungierte.

Bei den Wahlen von 1995 wurde Verhofstadt in den Senat gewählt, dem er als Vizepräsident bis 1999 angehörte. Nachdem die VLD bei den Wahlen vom Juni 1999 zur stärksten Fraktion in der Kammer aufgestiegen waren, wurde Verhofstadt einen Monat später zum Ministerpräsidenten erhoben.

Seitdem regiert der liberale Politiker mit einer Koalition aus Liberalen, Sozialisten und Grünen, die die Christdemokraten erstmals seit Jahrzehnten in die Opposition abdrängte. Als größte Herausforderungen seiner Regierung begreift Verhofstadt vor dem Hintergrund der jüngsten Justiz- und Politskandale Belgiens die Verwirklichung eines radikalen Bruchs mit dem politisch-bürokratischen System der Vergangenheit, der durch eine demokratisierende Reform von Verwaltung und Justiz herbeigeführt werden soll.

Pasó el final de la niñez y la juventud en Gante, donde su padre, antes de convertirse en magistrado, asesoraba en cuestiones jurídicas a Willy De Clercq, ministro de Finanzas en el Gobierno central y líder del Partido de la Libertad y el Progreso (PVV). La trayectoria liberal de la familia y su amistad con De Clercq vincularon a Verhofstadt desde temprana edad con el PVV, partido que recogía la tercera gran tradición política del país, además de la socialista y la social cristiana, y que desde su formación en 1961 era el heredero directo del histórico Partido Liberal (LP/LP), fundado en 1846 como el primer partido político de Bélgica.

En 1972, siguiendo la tendencia regionalista que afectaba al conjunto del sistema político belga, el partido se dividió en dos: el PVV, propiamente, con implantación en Flandes, y el PLP, basado en la Valonia francófona (en la región de Bruselas, bilingüe, operaron los dos partidos). De Clercq y Verhofstadt se inscribieron siempre en el liberalismo flamenco.

En 1970 Verhofstadt se graduó en lenguas clásicas en el Ateneo Real de Gante y en 1975 obtuvo la licenciatura en Derecho en la Universidad Estatal de la misma capital, donde entre 1972 y 1974 presidió la Unión de Estudiantes Liberales Flamencos (LVSV). Desde 1975 ejerció la abogacía en su ciudad adoptiva y al mismo tiempo desarrolló una carrera política, que resultó notoria por la precocidad de sus sucesivas promociones.

En 1976 fue elegido consejero comunal (concejal) en Gante, y al año siguiente De Clercq le tomó como secretario político cuando recuperó, tras un hiato de cuatro años, la presidencia del PVV. Perfecto caso de apadrinamiento político, Verhofstadt fue elegido en 1979 vicepresidente del partido y presidente de su sección juvenil, y a comienzos de 1982, con 29 años, sucedió finalmente a De Clercq, que en noviembre del año anterior había entrado como ministro de Finanzas en el Gobierno de coalición de Wilfried Martens, del Partido Popular Cristiano (CVP, flamenco).

El acceso de Verhofstadt a la cúpula del PVV marcó la imposición de las propuestas renovadoras de los militantes jóvenes, que incidían en la austeridad de las finanzas públicas y en la remoción de barreras a la libre iniciativa empresarial. Los postulados del PVV, que en aquellos tiempos no gozaban aún de un predicamento general en Europa (ni, menos aún, en Bélgica, cuyo extenso sector público daba empleo a un número muy elevado de funcionarios), encontraron no obstante un eco favorable en los votantes, según se desprendió de las elecciones parlamentarias del 8 de noviembre de 1981, en las que el PVV, con el 12,9% de los votos, ascendió del cuarto al segundo puesto, sólo detrás del CVP, su adversario inveterado.

En aquella ocasión el PVV disputó el campo liberal al Partido Reformista Liberal (PRL), una fuerza surgida en 1979 de la fusión del Partido Liberal (PL, formado por francófonos de Bruselas y a su vez surgido en 1974 de la unión de la sección local del PLP y de disidentes que no se les unieron cuando la escisión de 1972) y el Partido de las Reformas y la Libertad de Valonia (PRLW, por su parte la suma en 1976 del PLP y una fracción del Reagrupamiento Valón -RW-, formado en 1968 por tres pequeños partidos valones). Existían algunas diferencias entre el PVV de Verhofstadt y el PRL de Jean Gol, ya que si el primero se mantenía más fiel al liberalismo democrático clásico, conservador por su defensa radical del individuo, el segundo ofrecía una vertiente más social.

En las elecciones del 13 de octubre de 1985, que otorgaron al PVV un decepcionante 10,7% de los votos y le repusieron como cuarta fuerza parlamentaria, Verhofstadt salió elegido diputado en la Cámara de Representantes y al mes siguiente fue nombrado viceprimer ministro y ministro del Presupuesto, de Investigación y del Plan en el nuevo gobierno Martens, con lo que cedió la presidencia del partido a Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck.

Cuando en mayo de 1988 Martens formó un gobierno de coalición sin el PVV, Verhofstadt estableció un gabinete en la sombra y se erigió en el líder de la oposición flamenca a la alianza de los dos partidos democristianos (el CVP y su equivalente valón, el Partido Social Cristiano, PSC) y los dos socialistas (el SP flamenco y el PS valón), que coincidían en su oposición a la querencia de Verhofstadt por los presupuestos lo menos deficitarios posible. En 1989 regresó a la presidencia del partido y en noviembre de 1992 dirigió su transformación, más electoral que de fondo, en el Partido Ciudadano-Liberales y Demócratas Flamencos (VLD).

Verhofstadt, que en 1994 dejó la práctica legal para dedicarse exclusivamente a la política, centró en las elecciones legislativas del 21 de mayo de 1995 sus expectativas de quebrantar la primacía del CVP por el nuevo VLD. En las elecciones del 24 de noviembre de 1991 el viejo PVV no había avanzado con respecto a las del 13 de diciembre de 1987: con 26 escaños y el 12% de los votos, siguió siendo el cuarto partido en el Parlamento Federal. Las elecciones al Parlamento Europeo de junio de 1994 situaron al VLD como la tercera fuerza más votada, pero el porcentaje de votantes descendió incluso en unas décimas.

El panorama para el partido de Verhofstadt mejoró ostensiblemente en las legislativas de 1995, cuando con el 13,1% recuperó el segundo puesto en cuanto a votos a nivel federal, si bien quedó empatado con el PS en número de escaños -21- en la nueva Cámara de Representantes de 150 miembros. Los resultados eran buenos, pero insuficientes como para cerrar el paso a un nuevo gobierno de coalición entre democristianos y socialistas, que conservaron la mayoría absoluta y cuya dirección recayó de nuevo en Jean-Luc Dehaene (CVP), primer ministro desde marzo de 1992.

Verhofstadt no asimiló bien los resultados: dimitió inmediatamente de la presidencia del VLD, en la que fue sucedido por Herman de Croo, y, a pesar de que había ganado -y holgadamente- el acta de senador, se retiró durante un tiempo a la región italiana de la Toscana, según sus palabras, "para leer y meditar". En mayo de 1996 regresó a la escena política de su país con un discurso nuevamente rectificado, que ponía en el primer plano el capítulo de la protección social, tradicionalmente secundario en los programas del partido.

Tras reincorporarse al Senado, para una de cuyas vicepresidencias fue elegido, participó como informante en el Comité de Rwanda, establecido por la cámara para investigar los acontecimientos que precedieron al genocidio ocurrido en este país africano entre abril y junio de 1994. El 7 de junio de 1997 accedió por tercera vez a la presidencia del VLD y preparó al partido para la cita electoral de dentro de dos años, augurada por los observadores como crucial ante el retroceso general que las encuestas concedían a la coalición gobernante.

El día de los comicios, el 13 de junio de 1999, el VLD alcanzó la meta, acariciada desde la consagración del moderno parlamentarismo en 1919, de batir al CVP como la primera fuerza del país. En la Cámara de Representantes el partido de Verhofstadt obtuvo 23 escaños con el 14,3% de los votos, y en el Senado seis actas con el 15,3%, mientras que los cuatro partidos del Gobierno perdieron un total de 19 escaños y, por ende, la mayoría absoluta. En las elecciones para el Parlamento de Flandes los dos rivales empataron casi matemáticamente, si bien los cristianopopulares obtuvieron un escaño más.

Verhofstadt recibió el mandato de formar gobierno y en un plazo de tiempo inusualmente corto, el 7 de julio, llegó a un acuerdo con los dos partidos socialistas, el PRL/FDF (la alianza desde 1995 del PRL y el Frente Democrático de Francófonos) y, novedad absoluta en la política belga, con los dos partidos ecologistas regionales, el Ecolo valón y el Agalev flamenco. La coalición arco iris de seis partidos reunía el 58,4% de votos y aseguraba una cómoda mayoría absoluta de 94 escaños en la Cámara de Representantes y de 27 en el Senado (sobre 40 elegidos directamente, ya que los 31 restantes son cooptados por la cámara dependiendo del tamaño de cada grupo).

El 12 de julio Verhofstadt se convirtió en el primer jefe de Gobierno belga del Partido Liberal desde Paul-Émile Janson (1937-1938), mientras que para el CVP fue su primera ausencia desde 1958 del ejecutivo, que además había estado presidido por uno de los suyos desde 1974.

El programa económico que presentó Verhofstadt trataba de conciliar el conservadurismo económico del VLD, las demandas de creación de empleo de los socialistas y las reivindicaciones en materia de medio ambiente de los verdes. Uno de sus puntos más reseñables era un plan de rebajas fiscales por un total de 2.000 millones de dólares y la salida a venta de empresas del Estado para compensar la consiguiente merma de ingresos del erario público. Tras tomar posesión Verhofstadt como primer ministro, Karel de Gucht le sucedió en la jefatura del partido.

A comienzos de 2000 el Gobierno Verhofstadt causaba sensación por su imagen de abanderado internacional en diversas causas de defensa de los Derechos Humanos, y por su beligerancia en los casos de la persecución judicial contra el ex dictador chileno Augusto Pinochet y de la aplicación de sanciones comunitarias a Austria por la entrada en el Gobierno del partido liberal de Jörg Haider. Los observadores han apreciado en los tintes progresistas y singulares de la nueva política exterior belga (que el público internacional tiende a ignorar o a confundir con las actividades de las dos grandes organizaciones radicadas en su territorio, la UE y la OTAN) un intento de reparar la imagen, proyectada en los últimos años del Gobierno Dehaene, como país desacreditado por desgracias y escándalos de todo tipo.

En el terreno de la Unión Europea (UE), el primer ministro belga se ha sumado al grupo de líderes -la mayoría del campo socialdemócrata- que propugnan la creación de empleo como una condición imprescindible para una mayor cohesión social en el área comunitaria. En vísperas del Consejo Europeo de Lisboa (23 de marzo de 2000) presentó un manifiesto conjunto con el primer ministro británico, Tony Blair, en el que propugnaba la modernización de los sistemas de protección social y del empleo, al objeto de equiparar los derechos y los deberes de los trabajadores, dotarles de mayores incentivos laborales e insertar en este mercado a población activa en paro. Para Verhofstadt y Blair la receta principal consistía en deducir los costes laborales para los empresarios.

Guy Verhofstadt was born in Dendermonde in 1953. He studied law at Ghent University. He began his political career as a member of the Ghent city council (1976-1982). In 1979 he gained national recognition for the first time as the chair of the young liberals and author of prominent political manifestos.

In 1987 began a period of twelve years in opposition. Verhofstadt wrote a series of Civil Manifestos, trenchant analyses of what was wrong with Belgian politics. He was re-elected party leader in 1989 and opened his party up to a democratic movement, which welcomed politicians of other persuasions with open arms.

Guy Verhofstadt is acknowledged as a passionate politician, a gifted speaker and a razor-sharp polemicist. The central concern in his political activity has for years been to bridge the sometimes-broad gulf between the concerns of the citizen and the routines of political business.

Jacques Brel (1929-1979), born in Brussels, was a world-famous chansonnier (cabaret-singer) and a pillar of Belgian music. Singing in French, he basically invented the Belgian chanson and gave it a Flemish atmosphere with his unique accent. He drew his inspiration from Verhaeren, Ensor and Ghelderode.

Like all great artists, he expresses the emotions of love, loneliness and death with an intensity unsurpassed by any other chansonnier of his time. He was also a great actor and even had a go at directing films. His best performance was in "De Man van La Mancha" (The Man from La Mancha).

Johan Sauwens (CD&V): Used to be Minister of Sports in the Flemish government. After a visit to a meeting of veterans of the Russian front (WWII) , he has forced to dismiss. He is heading the third faction in the Volksunie, valled "no break-up".

José Happart (PS): became famous in the 80's as a Walloon leader in the Voeren-area, which is made up of six Flemish towns, which he believed, should be annexed to Wallonia. His position made him the most popular politician of Wallonia (more than 300.000 personal votes). Through the years, several Belgian governments have fallen over the problem "Voeren". Today, José Happart is a senator for the Walloon Socialists (PS), and is known as a Walloon regionalist.

Born in Ghent and educated at the University of Ghent, Baekeland emmigrated to the United States in 1889. He manufactured photographic papers and developed a new type of paper (Velox) that could be developed under artificial light. The founder of modern plastics, he received many honors, including the Nichols Medal of the American Chemical Society in 1909 and the Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute in 1940.

Louis Tobback (SP): has been the president of the socialist party and is the most powerful man within that party. He was named in the famous Agusta scandal, but was not found guilty. He gave the socialist party a victory in 1995, but could not repeat this succes in '99.

Marc Dutroux: The man who was arrested in august '97 as responsible for various kidnappings and murders of young children. This exposing uncovered a major failure of the Belgian judiciary and justice and caused a huge scandal in Belgium.

Paul Van Himst : was born on 2 October 1943 in Leeuw-Saint Pierre, Belgium. He is a high scoring centre-forward football player who later switched to inside-forward with a midfield role. Signing for Anderlecht when only 9 years old, he progressed through their junior teams to make his League debut at the age of 16 and to win his first international cap in 1960.

At the age of 17 he was voted Belgium's Footballer of the Year. He again won the award in 1962 and 1965. He topped the Belgian League scorers in 1964, 1966 and 1968, and while he was with Anderlecht they won the Belgian League 8 times, with the League and Club double in 1972. Together with his Anderlecht colleagues, he declined to play for Belgium in 1967-1968 and after being blamed in many quarters for Belgium's poor showing in the 1970 World Cup he announced that he would never play for his country again. A change of heart brought him back into the national team for the 1972 European Championships where he won his 69th cap to beat the long-standing record of Vic Mees. Had he not declared himself unavailable for a number of matches he would, undoubtedly, have won many more than the 82 caps he recorded, scoring 30 goals.

Peter Benoit (1834-1901) was a Belgian composer and teacher responsible for the modern revival of Flemish music. He studied at the Brussels Conservatory and in 1857 won the Grand Prix de Rome. He travelled in Germany and in 1861 went to France where he conducted at the Bouffes-Parisiens.

Back in Belgium (after 1863) he came under the influence of the novelist Hendrik Conscience, becoming an ardent proponent of a Flemish national movement in music. Benoit published numerous articles and pamphlets promoting Flemish music.

In 1867 he founded the Flemish School of Music in Antwerp (later the Royal Flemish Conservatory) which he directed until his death. His compositions include his “Rubens-cantata” (1877) which evoked historical events in Antwerp, the operas “Het dorp in ‘t gebergte” (The Mountain Village - 1857) and “Pompeja” (1895) and the oratorio “Lucifer” (1866) which is considered his masterpiece.

Rubens's upbringing mirrored the intense religious strife of his age - a fact that was to be of crucial importance in his artistic career. His father, an ardently Calvinist Antwerp lawyer, fled in 1568 to Germany to escape religious persecution, but after his death in 1587 the family moved back to Antwerp, where Peter Paul was raised a Roman Catholic and received his early training as an artist and a courtier.

By the age of 21 he was a master painter whose aesthetic and religious outlook led him to look to Italy as the place to complete his education. Upon arriving in Venice in 1600, he fell under the spell of the radiant color and majestic forms of Titian, whose work had a formative influence on Rubens's mature style. During Rubens's 8 years as court painter to the duke of Mantua between 1600 and 1608, he assimilated the lessons of the other Italian Renaissance masters and made a journey to Spain in 1603 that had a profound impact on the development of Spanish baroque art. He also spent a considerable amount of time in Rome, where he painted altarpieces for the churches of Santa Croce di Gerusalemme (1602; now in Hopital du Petit-Paris, Grasse, France) and the Chiesa Nuova (1607; now in Musee de Peinture et Sculpture, Grenoble, France), his first widely acknowledged masterpieces.

His reputation established, Rubens returned to Antwerp in 1608 following the death of his mother and quickly became the dominant artistic figure in the Spanish Netherlands. In the mature phase of his career, Rubens either executed personally or supervised the execution of an enormous body of works that spanned all areas of painting and drawing. A devout Roman Catholic, he imbued his many religious paintings with the emotional tenor of the Counter-Reformation. This aggressively religious stance, along with his deep involvement in public affairs, lent Rubens's work a conservative and public cast that contrasts sharply with the more private and secular paintings of his great Dutch contemporary, Rembrandt. But if his roots lay in Italian classical art and in Roman Catholic dogma, Rubens avoided sterile repetition of academic forms by injecting into his works a lusty exuberance and almost frenetic energy. Glowing color and light that flickers across limbs and draperies infuse spiraling compositions such as “The Descent from the Cross” (1611; Antwerp Cathedral) with a characteristically baroque sense of movement and tactile strength.

A love of monumental forms and dynamic effects is most readily apparent in the vast decorative schemes he executed in the 1620s, including the famous 21-painting cycle (1622-25; Louvre, Paris), chronicling the life of Marie de Medicis, originally painted for the Luxembourg Palace. In order to complete these huge commissions, Rubens set up a studio along the lines of Italian painters' workshops, in which fully qualified artists executed paintings from the master's sketches. Rubens's personal contribution to the over 2,000 works produced by this studio varied considerably from work to work.

Among his most famous assistants were Anthony Van Dyck and Frans Snyders. Rubens's phenomenal productivity was interrupted from time to time by diplomatic duties given to him by his royal patrons, Archduke Ferdinand and Archduchess Isabella, for whom he conducted negotiations in 1625 aimed at ending the war between the Spanish Netherlands and the Dutch Republic and helped conclude a peace treaty between England and Spain (1629-30). Charles I of England was so impressed with Rubens's efforts that he knighted the Flemish painter and commissioned his only surviving ceiling painting, “The Allegory of War and Peace” (1629; Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace, London).

During the final decade of his life, Rubens turned more and more to portraits, genre scenes, and landscapes. These later works, such as “Landscape with the Chateau of Steen” (1636; National Gallery, London), lack the turbulent drama of his earlier paintings but reflect a masterful command of detail and an unflagging technical skill. Despite recurring attacks of arthritis, he remained an unusually prolific artist throughout his last years, which were spent largely at his estate, Chateau de Steen in Antwerp.

Philippe Busquin: Is the former president of the PS. He was president of the PS at the moment when the different scandals involving the PS came to light but was never convicted by the Belgian courts. He always denied any involvement.

He was born is 1938 and is a world-class performer in straight billiards, cushion caroms, and all forms of balkline. He has been, since 1962, almost invincible in three-cushion billiards. In 1980 in Buenos Aires he won his 16th world tournament out of the last 17 held. His most impressive record is his 1.678 points per inning scoring average in the 1978 world tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Billiards is usually played on a pocketless table measuring 1.5 by 3 m (5 by 10 feet), using two cue balls (one for each player) and one or two red object balls. The simplest version, called straight, or free, billiards, is the most widely played; a point is scored by caroming the cue ball from one object ball to another. More difficult are cushion caroms, in which the cue ball must contact one or more cushions before completing the carom, and balkline, in which restrictions are imposed by lines drawn on the table.

Rik Van Looy, born in Grobbendonk, Belgium on 20 December 1932, is another one in the long list of famous Belgian cyclists. Prior to Eddy Merckx, Van Looy won more classics than any professional cyclist ever. This was mainly due to his tremendous ability as a road sprinter, unmatched in the peleton at the time. Only the Grand Prix de Nations (a time trial) and the Bordeaux-Paris are missing from his list of major classic victories.

Having been third in the 1953 world road race championship as an amateur, he won the professional title twice, 1960 and 1961, and was second in 1956 and 1963. His lack of strength as a time trialist was his greatest weakness, as he had 38 stage wins in the three big tours but did not win any of them. He was not a great climber, though he was better than average and won the King of the Mountains title in Giro d'Italia 1960. Van Looy also won 11 six-day races, nine of them with Peter Post.

Tony Judt: Professor European Studies and manager of the Remarque Institute of the New York University. He recently stayed a while in Belgium. His findings were published in the most recent edition of The New York Review of Books. De Standaard translated his article.

Tony Van Parys (CD&V): Became well-known as CD&V spokesman of the Dutroux Commission. After Dutroux escaped from prison, Van Parys became Minister of Justice, until the CD&V was sent to the opposition in June '99. Today he is CD&V's Justice specialist.

70-point agenda: In 1991, the Vlaams Blok distributed a 70-point agenda intended to solve the immigration problem. This plan provided for the repatriation of a large number of non-European foreigners to their countries of origin, restrictions on their rights in Belgium, and measures to stem the influx of further immigration numbers. The other parties were of the opinion that this plan did not respect individual rights and freedoms and maintain a cordon sanitaire "quarantine line" : they will not govern in coalition with the Vlaams Blok.

Agalev: is the Flemish Green Party. It has a left-wing profile with strong interest in environmental issues, pro- immigrants, 3rd world development, woman rights,... Agalev received 12% of the votes in Flanders during the election of June 99.

Agusta scandal: The purchase by the Belgian Army of helicopters from the Italian manufacturer Agusta involved the payment of bribes by Agusta to the Flemish and Walloon socialists. Because of this scandal, the head of NATO, Willy Claes, was forced to resign. A few years later the Belgian courts convicted him for his involvement in this affaire.

Brussels: Is the capital of Belgium and Flanders and has 1 million inhabitants. Geographically, Brussels is surrounded by Flanders, but 80% of its inhabitants are French-speaking. The city is governed together by Flemings and French-speakers. In exchange for influence in the Brussels government, Flanders has offered up her majority in the Belgian federal government.

CD&V: Flemish Christian-democrats. Formerly CVP. It used to be the biggest party in Flanders and has always dominated the flemish political scene. During the elections of June '99, she lost her dominant position and became only the second party (22% of the votes). Today, the CD&V is in the opposition.

District: The Belgian polity is tremendously complex. Belgium was divided into three communities (Flemish, Walloon and German-speaking) and three districts (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels), each having their own authorities and competences.

Doel: A little village in the neighborhood of Antwerp whose existence is threatened by the continuously growing harbor and completely surrounded by industrial sites. A further expansion of the harbor would imply the complete annihilation of the village. Especially the green parties have a hard time accepting this.

FDF (Front Démocratique des Francophones): is a extreme pro francophone anti-Flemish party. The party aims at making Brussels uni-lingual French (now Dutch and French) and to annex the surrounding (Flemish) communities to a francophone Brussels. The party receives mainly its support from voters in and around Brussels and has a co-operation agreement with the PRL.

Flanders: Flanders is the Northern, Dutch speaking part of Belgium. Sixty percent of the Belgian population lives in Flanders. Flanders is responsible for 65% of the Gross National Product and for 75% of the export. The capital of Flanders is Brussels.

Flemish Movement: Collective name for numerous associations in Flanders, active in the field of politics, culture and society. Most of these associations date back to the 19th and 20th century when French was the dominant language in Belgium. These associations were the driving force behind the "Dutchification" of Flanders. Today, more and more of these associations of the Flemish Movement, openly plead and strive for the separation of the Belgian State into two autonomous states, namely Flanders and Wallonia.

ID 21: Is a movement for the renewal of politics founded by Bert Anciaux and forming a political alliance with the Volksunie. It is the intention of this movement to bring politics closer to the people but is has a difficult relationship with the Volksunie. It new forming a new party, together with the "future group" of the Volksunie.

Iron Rhine: The proposed railway connection between the Antwerp seaport and the Ruhr industrial area in Germany. This is an essential connection for the further development of Antwerp. The proposed route however crosses a Dutch nature reserve for a few kilometers.

Lambermont Treaty: A political agreement between the Flemish and Walloons whereby the Walloons receive additional funding and additional political powers are delegated to the regions in Belgium. The agreement was negotiated in October 2000, but has not been approved by the Parliament until today.

Language etiquette accord: In Brussels, which is bilingual - French/Dutch - all public servants must be bilingual according to legislation. As there are numerous francophones without any knowledge of the Dutch language, francophone politicians have constantly tried to circumvent this legislation. In 1998, a new accord was concluded whereby unilingual francophones could be employed on condition that they passed a language examination in Dutch within two years of their engagement.

Pilgrimage to the Yzer: During the annual pilgrimage to the Yzer, the Flemish remember the many soldiers that died during World War I in the fields at the Yzer (river in West-Flanders). It has become a manifestation for peace and Flemish independence attracting each year 15 to 20,000 participants among which many ministers of the Flemish government. The speech of the president has an important influence on Flemish politics.

Pillar: de important phylosophical tendencies (christian, socialist, liberal) in Flanders each have their "pillar": a collection of institutions that all carry out the same sociopolitical values. Unions, health service, youth movements, schools, cultural associations, hospitals, brass bands, journals,... many organizations belong to one of the three major pilars. Despite the decreasing loyalty of the members - more often than before people tend to look for where it's best - they continue to exist.

PRL Parti Liberal reformateur: Walloon liberal party. This party has a co-operation agreement with the FDF and wants to become the most important party in Wallonia. The PRL-FDF is today the second largest party in Wallonia and has a support of 25% of the Walloon votes.

PS (Parti socialiste): Is the largest party in Wallonia. Receiving over 30% of the votes, this party cannot be circumvented in Wallonia as a partner in any government. In recent years, this position has been undermined by the co-operation between the Walloon liberal party and the extreme-francophone FDF. After the June 99 elections, the PS remained the largest party but only with a small margin.

Retour à Liège: This Francophone party is since 1964 devoted to the annexation of Voeren to the French-speaking Liège, instead of the Dutch-speaking Limburg. Led by José Happart, the party fought an aggressive campaign that made Voeren often to a political problem.

Silver fund: In Belgium, the payment of pensions is funded with tax money. The Belgian government has always neglected to build up savings or pension funds, as is the case in other countries. Because of an aging population, this system of paying for the pensions is in danger. With the "Silverfund", the government would at last create such a pension fund.

SP.A (Socialistische Partij): This Flemish socialist party is with 15% of the votes the fourth largest party in Flanders. The SP was part of a coalition government with the Christian Democrats and suffered a loss during the June 99 elections as a result thereof. In october 2001, the party changed name to Sp.A (socialist party - different)

UCL (Catholic University of Louvain): The UCL is the most important catholic French-speaking university. The UCL was created when the bilingual university of Leuven [in Flanders] was split up in a Dutch speaking university in Leuven and a French-speaking university in Louvain-La Neuve.

Union Minière: UM is the largest Belgian producer of natural resources. Because of the decrease in prices in this market and the intense international competition, UM's results have been rather disappointing in the recent years.

V.E.V.: The "Vlaams Economisch Verbond" (Flemish Economic Union) was founded in 1926 and represents the Flemich employers on the Flemish level. It stands for the employer's interests and constitutes, next to the Trade-Unions, the most important social-economic organisation in Flanders.

Vlaams Blok: This party was established in 1978 as a break-away from the Volksunie. This party stresses not only the need for an independent Flanders but also takes a strong anti-immigration position. The Vlaams Blok has gained quite some significance the last couple of years and received more than 15% of the votes in the June 99 elections.

Voeren: A group of six Flemish towns in Limburg. Voeren made Belgian and international headlines early eighties. At that time Walloon politicians led by José Happart tried to annex Voeren to the French-speaking Liege, resulting in many demonstrations and government crises. After the local elections of 2000, the Flemish party Voerbelangen gained an absolute majority.

VU (Volksunie): The VU was founded in the 50's, with the creation of a federalized Belgium being the main point on its political agenda. When Belgium was reformed into a federalized state, the Volksunie remained strongly pro-Flemish, and opted for a more leftist-liberal course. Unhappy with this evolution, many supporters left the VU and founded the Vlaams Blok in '78. In October 2001, the Volksunie split into two groups: de flemish N-VA (new flemish alliance) and the left-liberal SPIRIT.

Well-balanced competence-packs: Many competences in Belgium are scattered over the different governments. For example the Flemish Government is authorized for education and guidance of unemployeds, while Belgium is authorized for unemployment benefits and possible punishing. In the best case, this leads to inadequate communication, in the worst case to contradictions in policy.