Belgian Eastern Counties
The German speaking community in East Belgium.

 


Outside of Belgium hardly known, but besides French and Dutch (Flemish), German is the third official language of the Kingdom. In the easternmost area of the French speaking Province of Liege, we find six districts where German is the official language.
West of this area, we find some places (Malmedy) where French is spoken, yet a German speaking protected minoriy lives there, too.
All together this county is called the 'Eastern Counties' (Ostkantone)

 Sankt Vith:
We are in Belgium, but the road signs are in German.
 Eupen:
Capital of the German speaking community, in Eupen sometimes French translations on road signs can be spotted.
 Gemmenich half a mile south of the German-Dutch-Belgian tripoint: Mixed German-French language area, while French is used for administrative and official purposes.
 Billboards about road safety ("buckle up") in German and French in the background.
 Local fun-fair in Dolhain near Verviers: Banners of the German-language 'Belgian Radio' and French/Walloon "Télé Vesdre'
 Close to the Dutch-Belgian-German tripoint: bilingual road sign.
 Local commercial radio-station in German language in Belgium!
  Kelmis / La Calamine: German speaking district in Belgium south of Aachen, Germany with little protected French-speaking minority.
 Kelmis / La Calamine:
town hall entrance with bords in two languages.

by Bernd Kueck August 2000; translated Nov. 2000