The national anthem of Belgium is called: « La Brabançonne ».
Continent: Europe
Bordering Countries:
– 🇫🇷 France
– 🇩🇪 Germany
– 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
– 🇳🇱 Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
History of « La Brabançonne »
« La Brabançonne » is the national anthem of Belgium. It was composed during the Belgian Revolution of 1830, which led to the country’s independence from the Netherlands. The anthem is a symbol of Belgian unity and pride, reflecting the nation’s diverse linguistic and cultural heritage.
Key Dates and People
- 1830: The anthem was written by Jenneval (Louis-Alexandre Dechet), a French actor and revolutionary, during the Belgian Revolution. The music was composed by François Van Campenhout, a Belgian opera singer and composer.
- 1860: The original lyrics, which were quite revolutionary and anti-Dutch, were modified to be more neutral and inclusive. The revised version was adopted as the official national anthem.
- 1921: The Belgian government officially recognized « La Brabançonne » as the national anthem.
- 1938: A trilingual version of the anthem was created to reflect Belgium’s three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
Anecdotes
- Origin in a Café: The lyrics of « La Brabançonne » were reportedly written in a café in Brussels, where Jenneval and other revolutionaries gathered to discuss their plans for independence.
- Multiple Versions: Over the years, several versions of the anthem have been created, reflecting the changing political landscape and linguistic diversity of Belgium. The anthem is now sung in Dutch, French, and German, the three official languages of the country.
- Symbol of Unity: Despite Belgium’s linguistic and regional divisions, « La Brabançonne » serves as a unifying symbol for the nation. It is performed at official events and national celebrations, fostering a sense of shared identity among Belgians.
Lyrics
in French
O Belgique, ô mère chérie,
À toi nos cœurs, à toi nos bras,
À toi notre sang, ô Patrie!
Nous le jurons tous, tu vivras!
Tu vivras toujours grande et belle,
Et ton invincible unité
Aura pour devise immortelle:
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!in English
O Belgium, O dear mother,
To you our hearts, to you our arms,
To you our blood, O Fatherland!
We all swear, you shall live!
You shall always live great and beautiful,
And your invincible unity
Shall have for immortal motto:
The King, the Law, the Liberty!
The King, the Law, the Liberty!
The King, the Law, the Liberty!in Dutch
O Belgique, ô mère chérie,
À toi nos cœurs, à toi nos bras,
À toi notre sang, ô Patrie!
Nous le jurons tous, tu vivras!
Tu vivras toujours grande et belle,
Et ton invincible unité
Aura pour devise immortelle:
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!in German
O liebes Land, o Belgiens Erde,
Dir unser Herz, Dir unsere Hand,
Dir unser Blut, o Heimat, Ehre,
Wir schwören's Dir, o Vaterland!
So blühe froh in voller Schöne,
Zu der die Freiheit Dich erzog,
Und fortan singen Deine Söhne:
Gesetz und König und die Freiheit hoch!
Gesetz und König und die Freiheit hoch!
Gesetz und König und die Freiheit hoch!Sources: