About Brussels
Short History
Brussels was founded in 979 by Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine. It quickly became a commercial hub for its position in the middle of trade routes connecting the Flanders with Germany. During the century the city changed owners many times: Duke of Lower Lorraine, Count of Louvain, Duke of Brabant, Burgundy, Spain, Austria, France, the Netherlands until in 1830 it became the capital city of the newly independent Kingdom of Belgium. After WW2 started to become the informal capital of Europe hosting many European institutions, in particular the European Parliament (shared with Strasbourg), the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.
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Why is it relevant to borders?
The city of Brussels is located at the intersection between the two major ethnic groups of Belgium: the Flemish and the Waloons. These two groups, together with the Germans, create the identity of the nation that makes its multiethnic nature one of its main characteristics. Due to its privileged position, Brussels is a multicultural city, where many differences and divisions converge. For these reasons we decided to make the theme of this year’s IP also the theme of this trip to Brussels. “Overcoming Borders in Europe and Beyond” is the main focus of the trip and the common thread behind every activity.