5 reactions to this article

Marijke Verboven posted: 2011-12-20 11:47:24

This article is full of mistakes. It reads like one big joke.
To name a few:
- "For example, St. Nicholas visits those who speak the Walloon language (a dialect of French that is spoken in parts of Belgium), while those who speak French are visited by Pere Noel." Almost every word of this sentence is incorrect.
- "The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on 6 December, St. Nicholas's birthday. The day begins with a family church service, followed by a meal that includes delicious cakes and puddings." Only the date is correct. Never heard of family church service.. cakes and puddings???
- "Belgians also wait with anticipation for New Year's Eve. It is also called Sint Sylvester Vooranvond or Saint Sylvester Eve." It is 'Oudejaarsavond' in Dutch (language in Flanders).
- "New Year's Day is called Nieuwjaarsdagand and at this time of year children save money to buy decorated paper for writing holiday greetings to parents. The motifs are golden cherubs and angels, coloured roses, and ribbon-tied garlands. " New Year's Day is called 'Nieuwjaarsdag'. Never heard of childres saving money to buy decorated paper with golden cherubs and angels...

The writer of this article is clearly not interested at all in our christmas traditions.

Marion posted: 2011-12-21 11:37:18

My sentiments exactly! The author has absolutely no idea at all, even to the point of this being an insult the Belgians. And Walloon is a totally different thing from the French spoken in Brussels and the French speaking parts of Belgium. It is a dialect in itself which some French speakers even have trouble with understanding.! Unreal!!! Really bad performance of the writer, bad research and shame on the editors of Expatica online!!!! There were other articles recently which were equally full of mistakes. So I finally felt compelled to comment! Sorry guys, but this is NOT a helpful site for expats trying to find their ways around Belgium anymore!!! Too bad ....

Daniela G. posted: 2011-12-21 13:32:32

WHAT A SHAME ! Who on earth wrote this article ? Where did this person make this "research" ? There is NOTHING about Belgian traditions here. Please, expatica, REMOVE this article because it is a NON SERVICE for the expat community.

I am an expat myself and after 8 years in Belgium I can tell you that the explanation os St. Nicholas (SinterKlaas in the flemish area, where I live) is a LAUGH. Never heard of a "feast" for that, it is not even a holiday, people actually work and kids go to school in Sinterklaas day...

Honestly, this is a shame for expatica !!!

CDC posted: 2011-12-21 14:02:02

One should have facts checked before publishing. As a Belgian national, I wonder where I have lived all these years, having missed all these "traditions" which do not exist !!

expat91 posted: 2011-12-22 19:46:48

Your facts are not totally correct. St. Nicholas comes on the 5th December also in Limburg and gives small gifts. The Christmas man (what we know as Father Christmas) comes on the night of the 25th. Many people actually give their gifts on the evening of the 24th when they are eating together.