top of page
OUD VLAENDEREN
"Where Past and Present Shake Hands"
This gallery offers a visual ode to the rich intangible heritage of Flanders. The photographs presented are fragments of broader reportages focusing on ancient crafts, folk traditions, and forgotten sports. Not as static history, but as a living whole that continues to thrive in associations, guilds, and local initiatives.
Finch Singing
Finch singing is an age-old Flemish folk sport in which finches are placed in competition cages and their songs are counted. Each valid song ends with the distinctive “suskewiet” sound. The sport originated in the 16th century and was especially popular in West and East Flanders. Enthusiasts gave their birds names and competed for honor, not money. Although it’s been recognized as intangible cultural heritage, interest is fading. Younger generations are turning away, and the number of active participants continues to decline. What was once a vibrant village pastime is quietly vanishing from the streetscape.
Shrimp Fishing
This scene shows a shrimp fisherman at sea in the traditional Crangon boat, a type of vessel that dominated the Flemish coastline for decades. Shrimp fishing with such boats is now a rare heritage practice, gradually replaced by modern methods and larger ships. Yet these fishermen still carry the last echoes of an age-old tradition. His gaze toward the shore holds something melancholic — the reflection of a profession slowly drifting away.
Horizontal Archery
Horizontal archery on the “liggende wip” is a sport unique to Flanders. Archers aim at iron bird-shaped targets perched on a tall beam, shooting horizontally instead of upwards. Did you know that archery guilds in this region date back to the Middle Ages, and that King Albert I once served as honorary chairman of one such guild? The discipline demands precision and tradition — a contest where honor matters more than victory. Even today, the taut snap of a loosed arrow echoes centuries of deep-rooted camaraderie.
Lace Making
Lace making was once a full-time profession: young girls in Bruges learned the skill in convent schools. Around 1700, Flemish lace became world-renowned as a luxury product — even the court of Versailles adorned itself with it. With bobbins, pins and intricate patterns, true masterpieces were created by hand. Those who master the craft follow a rhythm that stretches across centuries. The thread may be delicate, but the story behind it is indelible.
Pigeon Racing
Pigeon racing was once the pride of many Flemish towns. On race days, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, chatter, smoke and nickname-filled banter. Today, only the ticking remains. Hundreds of mechanical timers sit quietly, waiting for wings that rarely return, while empty chairs signal a fading generation. Where pigeons were once boxed with pride, silence now reigns. The sport survives in memory – in garages and back rooms – a world of precision and passion hovering at the edge of oblivion.
Solex - rolling heritage
The annual Solex ride is more than just a nostalgic outing: it’s a celebration of moving heritage. Once a symbol of simplicity and accessibility, the Solex lives on today thanks to enthusiasts who choose to slow down time. Each ride is a tribute to the post-war era, when mobility was becoming part of everyday life. In a landscape dominated by e-bikes and quiet roads, these rumbling two-wheelers bring the past back to life — a heritage that rolls, rides, and connects.
Gaaibolling
Gaaibolling is so distinctly Flemish that it exists nowhere else in the world. A heavy wooden ball is rolled down a lane toward bird-shaped pins called ‘gaaien’. It was once a cherished Sunday ritual played in café gardens, where local champions were celebrated as heroes. Some lanes are still hand-oiled today, preserving their authentic charm. The rough wood, the heft of the ball, the call when a pin is struck — it’s a game rich in character and steeped in local identity.
Shrimp Fishing on Horseback
In Oostduinkerke, fishermen on horseback brave the surf in a spectacle found nowhere else in the world. This tradition dates back to the 19th century and was officially recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2013. Once a necessity for coastal livelihoods, it now functions as a living museum by the sea. Each year, tourists make special trips to witness these impressive scenes. The blend of horse, water and baskets full of shrimp sparks the imagination — a ritual of heritage captured in holiday photos and steeped in Flemish pride.
bottom of page