Flanders is seeking to declare a Belgian cultural institution – frietkots (chip stand) – as protected heritage sites.
Certain frietkots will receive historical heritage status after being selected as an essential part of the country's fries culture – particularly amid a drastic decrease in the number of establishments in recent decades.
"At the end of the 1950s, there were 20,000 frietkots, most of them outdoors. Nowadays, there are less than 5,000 chip shops, of which several hundred are still outside," Professor Yves Segers of the Centre for Agricultural History at KU Leuven said.
While many still exist, frietkots have drastically reduced in number over the years. Total extinction is not yet on the horizon, but Flanders does not want to take any chances.
When public squares undergo construction, the chip stands often close down, according to the chairman of the National Association of Friturists, Bernard Lefèvre – who knows this initiative will not stop this phenomenon completely, but hopes it can help better preserve the well-loved friteries.
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Fries culture in Belgium was protected as an intangible cultural heritage ten years ago, but for Flanders, it is high time to add a tangible aspect to that status.
It will not be possible for all frietkots to be recognised in this way, but some of them are so "iconic for the chip culture that it makes sense to preserve them", according to Matthias Diependaele, Flemish minister of Immovable Heritage.
The Flemish minister is therefore calling on all communes in Flanders to nominate which ones should be given protected status. Once the nominated frietkots are named, the Flemish Heritage Agency will assess which ones could be recognised as monuments – similar to how churches or castles in the country are.
