According to etymologists, there is no logical explanation as to why certain words with an “ude” suffix consistently imply a feeling, mood, condition, mindset, or temperament. Examples include attitude, gratitude, quietude, solitude, aptitude, and the list goes on. These words suggest a certain mindset, and now we have another addition to the list: Belgitude. This peculiar term was coined by Belgian sociologists in the 1970s to describe the unique state of mind and behavior exhibited by many Belgians.
Belgitude attempts to explain a country with an abundance of regional pride but very little national pride. Belgium, with its history of invasions, distinct regions and languages, and divided politics, manages to maintain a bon vivant or joie de vivre unmatched in the world. Gregory Bufithis, a self-proclaimed neuroscientist and author, explored Belgitude in a recent piece in The Economist magazine. He views Belgium as a country “founded by accident after the Napoleonic Wars, a nation of clashing Latin and Germanic ethnic groups patched together by diplomats. It lives without an identity, one language, or a unique border.” This lack of a unified identity leads Belgians to identify more strongly with their regional affiliations, such as Flemish, Walloon, or Brussels, rather than as a collective Belgian entity. Bufithis suggests that being Belgian is “a hollow identity defined by what it is not.” Surprisingly, this state of mind has its advantages. Belgitude carries more cultural weight than political significance, making Belgium remarkably “durable” in today’s world. It comes as no surprise that Brussels has become the symbol and home of the European Union. Despite its contradictions, Belgium boasts a level of wealth comparable to Germany and a higher standard of living than Britain or France. Its healthcare system is excellent, and property prices remain relatively affordable. Unburdened by excessive “nationalist pride,” Belgium demonstrates the resilience and toughness required to navigate these challenging times. Belgitude encourages people to embrace life’s pleasures, with rallying cries like “Eat frites, savor chocolate, read Magritte, drink Duvel, for tomorrow we may die!”
Belgian author Pierre Mertens offers a slightly different perspective on Belgitude. In his 1977 novel “Terre d’asile” (Place of Asylum), Mertens tells the story of a boy who escapes Chilean tyranny and finds refuge in Brussels. The novel serves as a metaphor for Belgium, highlighting the search for individual identity. Mertens advocates for a self-confident, non-hybrid Belgian identity, one that stands apart from subordination to France or the Netherlands. He acknowledges that Belgium is a country of contradictions, capable of both xenophobia and open-mindedness, where speaking five languages comes as no surprise.
Jules Destrée, a Walloon lawyer and social politician, also observed the lack of a patriotic nation-state sentiment in the Flemish and Walloon populations. He famously told King Albert I, “Il n’y a pas de Belges… There are no Belgians.” However, he believed in the concept of Belgitude, a flawed yet dynamic condition that could propel Belgium towards becoming a national state. According to Destrée, maintaining Belgium as a purely administrative state would be disadvantageous, and only as a nation state could Belgium fully engage with Europe and the wider world.
Beyond politics and culture, Belgitude extends to the realm of gastronomy. Food critics define Belgitude as an unspoiled trust and innocent belief in hedonistic feasting. Belgium offers a diverse range of cuisine that goes far beyond frites, beer, and chocolate. From moules-frites (mussels and fries) – the national dish of Belgium – to speculoos (a biscuit), waterzooi (a stew), Brussels sprouts, witloof (a salad leaf), and, of course, Belgian chocolate, the country’s specific flavors are celebrated worldwide. Belgian beer, with its wide variety of styles and distinct glass bottles, holds a prominent place in Belgitude. In 2016, UNESCO recognized Belgium Beer Culture as intangible cultural heritage.
Belgitude has even made its mark in music, thanks to internationally renowned singer/songwriter Jacques Brel (1929-1978). Brel’s lyrics often touch on themes specific to Belgitude, and his influence has reached artists like David Bowie, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Julio Iglesias, Celine Dion, Sting, Nirvana, Barbara Streisand, and many others.
If Belgitude truly captures a state of mind, then it defies a concise definition. It pervades discussions about Belgian history, politics, culture, music, literature, cuisine, and more. It possesses ephemeral qualities that evolve with time and circumstances, much like Belgium itself. Belgitude can imply self-deprecation while simultaneously reflecting pride in that very trait. Perhaps due to Belgitude, Belgians possess the ability to hold contradictory thoughts in their minds simultaneously, a skill attributed by Sigmund Freud to some of the best intellects. While Belgitude finds its place in the French dictionary Petit Larousse, it remains absent from the Dutch dictionary Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal.
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