Belgium For Foreigners II
As last year, let us find out how much we know about the country we live in!
- 1.Albert II announced his abdication on the 21st July 2013. How many European monarchs abdicated before him in 2013?
- A.
One
- B.
Two
- C.
Three
- 2.1.38 million foreign-born residents in Belgium constitute 12.9% of the total population. Which group is the largest?
- A.
Maroccan
- B.
Congolese
- C.
Turkish
- D.
French
- E.
Italian
- 3.Elio Di Rupo is the Prime Minister of Belgium since 6 December 2011. Which of the following facts are true? (More than one answer possible)
- A.
He is a son of two Italian immigrants.
- B.
He is a social-democrat.
- C.
He is the only openly gay leader of a European Union country.
- D.
He is Catholic.
- 4.Has Belgium ever hosted Olympic games?
- A.
Yes
- B.
No
- 5.Julius Cesar wrote about Belgians, Aquitanians and Celts in his "Commentaries on the Gallic War". In comparison to the two other tribes, he described Belgians as:
- A.
The bravest
- B.
The smallest
- C.
The most educated
- D.
The least quarrelsome
- 6.During the World War II, Gent was liberated following the D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Which of the following Allied army liberated the city?
- A.
US Eighth Air Force
- B.
Polish 1st Armoured Division
- C.
British Royal Air Force
- D.
Free Belgian Forces (Forces Belges Libres)
- 7.Chaleroi is known to foreign residents of Belgium mainly as a home of cheap flights. But Chaleroi was also a place of some important historical events. Which ones? (More than one answer possible; 2 answers are correct)
- A.
Charleroi was one of the most important places where labor strikes broke out, from the 1850s–1860s, following the Industrial Revolution in Wallonia.
- B.
NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) was relocated to Casteau, a village near Chaleroi, in 1967.
- C.
Napoleon stayed in Charleroi for a couple of days in June 1815, just before the Battle of Waterloo.
- 8.Manneken Pis is the famous landmark of Brussels. Which of the following facts are true? (More than one answer possible, 4 answers are correct)
- A.
It is 61cm tall.
- B.
It was created in the 16th century.
- C.
The statue is dressed in costume several times each week. After the use, the costumes are sold by the non-profit association The Friends of Manneken-Pis, and the profits are donated to charity.
- D.
It is not clear on which Brussels legend the idea of a peeing boy was based.
- E.
There is also a statue of Manneken Pis in China.
- F.
The statue currently on display is a copy from 1965.
- G.
It's female equivalent, Janneke Pis, was inaugurated only in 1987.
- 9.What does Belgium celebrate each year on the 21st of July?
- A.
On July 21st 1830 Belgium gained independence by breaking away from the Netherlands.
- B.
On July 21st 1831, the National Congress adopted a constitution.
- C.
On 21 July 1831 Leopold of Saxe-Coburg swore allegiance to the Belgian constitution. He thus became Leopold I, the first king of the Belgians.
- 10.But of course this year, July 21st is even more special. Prince Philippe, the Duke of Brabant, will become a king, following his father's abdication. How much do you know about the new king? Which of the following is true? (More than one answer possible; 3 answers are correct)
- A.
He will be called the King of Belgium.
- B.
He will be known as King Philippe I.
- C.
He has four children.
- D.
His oldest child is Elisabeth, but it will be his oldest son Gabriel who will become the heir to the throne.
- E.
His wife is a descendant of Polish nobility, so the next monarch of Belgium will have Polish blood.
- F.
He is 53 years of age.