Due to its ongoing success, an English-language version of the 'Canon of Flanders', which puts a list of cultural identifiers that typify the region in the spotlight, will be published later this month.
Flanders unveiled its hotly anticipated Canon in May last year, half a year later than planned. It comprises 60 events, dates, people, traditions, books, objects and works of art that are part of Flemish heritage, from the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, which gave Flanders its regional day, to the mediaeval poem Reynaerde the Fox (Reynaert in English).
But before it was even unveiled to the public the initiative was heavily criticised, mainly for fears that it would be misused for ideological or political ends, stoking Flemish separatist agenda. Ministers tried to quell criticism by insisting that the initiative was non-political and had been drawn up by an independent panel of historians. Moreover, it will not be imposed on school curricula.
Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon poses with the 'Canon van Vlaanderen'. Credit: Belga/ Dirk Waem
Despite the disapproval that preceded the publication, the Canon, which strongly takes its lead from an equivalent in the Netherlands, was warmly received and has since achieved commercial success. It topped last year’s best-seller list and its website has been visited more than 1.4 million times.
Accessibility has been a priority, evidenced by audio versions for the blind and visually impaired and editions for those with limited literacy. However, to make the content available to an even larger group of people, an English version will be launched on 25 March.
A potential French translation will only come later this year, which could stir the French-Dutch language war in Belgium. This will be followed one in German (Belgium's other official language), which could be ready in 2025.
