The Davidsfonds is a Catholic organisation in Flanders , Belgium with the purpose of promoting the Flemish culture in the areas of literature, history and art.
63-643: The Davidsfonds was founded in Leuven , Belgium on 15 January 1875, with the motto Voor Godsdienst, taal en volk (E: For religion, language and people). It was named after canon and professor Jean-Baptist David . Together with the Vermeylenfonds ( socialist ) and the Willemsfonds ( liberal ), it promoted the Flemish culture, resulting in a growing feeling of Flemish identity. In the 20th century,
126-525: A Viking army was defeated by the Frankish king Arnulf of Carinthia (see: Battle of Leuven ). According to a legend, the city's red and white arms depict the blood-stained shores of the river Dyle after this battle, similarly to the flag of Austria and the flag of Latvia . Situated beside this river, and near to the stronghold of the Dukes of Brabant , Leuven became the most important centre of trade in
189-518: A conquest of the Low Countries with the shortest possible notice, to forestall the French, and prevent Allied air power from threatening the strategic Ruhr Area of Germany. It would also provide the basis for a long-term air and sea campaign against Britain. As much as possible of the border areas in northern France should be occupied. Germany's Blitzkrieg tactics rapidly overpowered
252-406: A growing number of tourists. Leuven is the worldwide headquarters of Anheuser-Busch InBev , the largest beer company in the world and is considered one of the largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in the world. InBev's Stella Artois brewery and main offices dominate the entire north-eastern part of the town, between the railway station and the canal to Mechelen . Finally, Leuven
315-612: A major European center for art and knowledge with humanists like Erasmus and Hieronymus van Busleyden working there. In 1517 the latter founded the Collegium Trilingue in which the three ancient languages: Latin , Greek and Hebrew were taught. It promoted the critical study of classical literature and the Bible. Thomas More published his Utopia at Dirk Martens printing house in Leuven in 1516. Gemma Frisius laid
378-470: A reprisal, which at the time was legal under international law, as the Germans alleged that Belgian civilians had taken part in the fighting and killed German troops. The old library building was rebuilt after the war, and much of the collection was replaced. A new, dedicated Central Library was built on the square now known as Ladeuzeplein ; it was officially opened on 4 July 1928. In World War II, after
441-460: A rich beer culture, being the birthplace of several beers such as Stella Artois , Leuvense Tripel, Domus and Keizersberg. It has several bars priding themselves in offering a wide variety of local and international beers, including a bar that claims to offer more than 3000 different beers. The Higher Institute of Philosophy holds the archives of the German philosopher Edmund Husserl . Leuven
504-612: Is Mecca of books and beers. It has been a university city since 1425. This makes it the oldest university city in the Low Countries . KU Leuven , the largest Dutch-speaking university in the world and the largest university in the Low Countries (and thus also Belgium's largest university), has its flagship campus in Leuven. The city is home of the headquarters of Anheuser-Busch InBev , the world's largest beer brewer and sixth-largest fast-moving consumer goods company. The earliest mention of Leuven ( Loven ) dates from 891, when
567-625: Is a sports event between Belgium and the Netherlands. Belgium separated in 1830 from the (northern) Netherlands. The new country took its name from Belgica , the Latinised name for the Low Countries, as it was known during the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648). The Low Countries were in that war divided in two parts. On one hand, the northern Federated Netherlands or Belgica Foederata rebelled against King Philip II of Spain ; on
630-525: Is based in Leuven: the Lemmens Institute , which is described as "Faculty of Music, Performing Arts and Education". It is known for its music therapy education and its wordart-drama education. Kunstencentrum STUK is a cultural centre and venue in the city center for music, theatre, sound art , and dance. Leuven holds a summer rock festival, Marktrock . Leuven has some university orchestras, such as
693-505: Is one of Europe's largest academic hospitals. As a result, large numbers of private service providers are active in the medical, financial and legal fields. Because it is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant , many governmental institutions are located in Leuven, as well as the regional headquarters of transport corporations such as De Lijn . As one of Flanders Art-Cities, with a large range of cafés, restaurants, cultural institutions and shopping neighbourhoods, Leuven also attracts
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#1732773400261756-677: Is one of the oldest athletics clubs in Belgium, where 1964 Olympic gold medallist Gaston Roelants was a member. There is also a GAA club in Leuven, the club is named, 'the Earls of Leuven', after the Flight of the Earls . The Earls of Leuven has become one of the most well-known GAA clubs in Europe, and is an affiliated University sports club. The city of Leuven has become the home of Collegiate Gaelic Games activity in Europe due to its organisation of
819-571: Is still Kingdom of the Netherlands , Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (plural). This name derives from the 19th-century origins of the kingdom which originally included present-day Belgium. In Dutch, and to a lesser extent in English, the Low Countries colloquially means the Netherlands and Belgium, sometimes the Netherlands and Flanders —the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium. For example, a Low Countries derby ( Derby der Lage Landen ),
882-455: Is the ancestral home of the KBC Group . KBC is one of the leading financial groups in Europe. It is a multi-channel bank-insurance group, with a geographic focus on Belgium and Central Europe, catering mainly to retail clients, SMEs and local midcaps. As one of the largest companies in Belgium and it has its insurance and auto lease HQ in Leuven. As of 1 January 2024, the population of Leuven
945-537: Is the blind poet Bernlef , from c. 800 , who sang both Christian psalms and pagan verses. Bernlef is representative of the coexistence of Christianity and Germanic polytheism in this time period. The earliest examples of written literature include the Wachtendonck Psalms , a collection of twenty five psalms that originated in the Moselle-Frankish region around the middle of
1008-491: Is the capital and largest city of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region of Belgium . It is located about 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of Brussels . The municipality itself comprises the sub-municipalities of Heverlee , Kessel-Lo , Leuven proper, Wilsele , Wijgmaal and part of Haasrode and Korbeek-Lo . It is the eighth largest city in Belgium, with more than 100,244 inhabitants. Leuven
1071-438: Is traffic-free. Several streets are off-limits to vehicle traffic and, within the city centre, road speed regulations prescribe 30 km/h (19 mph) as the maximum speed limit, making it a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city. There are also a few car parking lots. There are numerous buses, primarily operated by the public transport company De Lijn , that connect the city with the region while providing travel options within
1134-618: The Austrian Netherlands . The United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815–1830) temporarily united the Low Countries again before it split into the three modern countries of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. During the early months of World War I (around 1914), the Central Powers invaded the Low Countries of Luxembourg and Belgium in what has been come to be known as the German invasion of Belgium . It led to
1197-496: The Dutch Revolt . Each of the provinces had its own laws, customs and political practices. The new policy, imposed from the outside, angered many inhabitants, who viewed their provinces as distinct entities. It and other monarchical acts, such as the creation of bishoprics and promulgation of laws against heresy , stoked resentments, which fired the eruption of the Dutch Revolt . After the northern Seven United Provinces of
1260-634: The European Union , the region's political grouping is still referred to as the Benelux (short for Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg). During the Roman Empire , the region contained a militarised frontier and contact point between Rome and Germanic tribes . The Low Countries were the scene of the early independent trading centres that marked the reawakening of Europe in the 12th century. In that period, they rivalled northern Italy as one of
1323-652: The Franco-Flemish School were highly sought by the leading classes of all Europe. In 1477 the Burgundian holdings in the area passed through an heiress— Mary of Burgundy —to the Habsburgs . Charles V, who inherited the territory in 1506, was named ruler by the States General and styled himself as Heer der Nederlanden ( lit. ' Lord of the Netherlands ' ). He continued to rule
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#17327734002611386-524: The Kingdom of France or the Holy Roman Empire . While the further history the Low Countries can be seen as the object of a continual struggle between these two powers, the title of Duke of Lothier was coveted in the low countries for centuries. In the 14th and 15th century, separate fiefs came gradually to be ruled by a single family through royal intermarriage . This process culminated in
1449-572: The Roman provinces of Gallia Belgica and Germania Inferior . They were inhabited by Belgic and Germanic tribes . In the 4th and 5th century, Frankish tribes had entered this Roman region and came to run it increasingly independently. They came to be ruled by the Merovingian dynasty , under which dynasty the southern part (below the Rhine ) was re- Christianised . By the end of the 8th century,
1512-797: The University Symphony Orchestra [ nl ] (USO), the University Symphonic Band [ nl ] (UHO). and the Arenberg Orchestra [ nl ] . In September 2009, the M – Museum Leuven opened in Leuven. It is a museum for both contemporary and historical art, located near het Ladeuzeplein. It has hosted exhibitions by international artists such as Angus Fairhurst, Sol LeWitt, Roe Ethridge and Charles Burns as well as Belgian artists such as Ilse D'Hollander, Jan Vercruysse, Antoon Van Dyck and Freek Wambacq. Leuven has
1575-643: The University of Leuven , in 1425. Prestigious buildings like the Town Hall and the Saint Peter's Church (itself designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999) were constructed. The art of painting flourished with painters such as Dirk Bouts , Albrecht Bouts and Jan Rombouts the Elder . The painter Quinten Metsys was born and trained in Leuven. By the turn of the 16th century, Leuven had become
1638-419: The duchy between the 11th and 14th centuries. A token of its former importance as a centre of cloth manufacture is shown in that ordinary linen cloth was known, in late-14th-century and 15th-century texts, as lewyn (other spellings: Leuwyn , Levyne , Lewan(e) , Lovanium , Louvain ). In the 15th century, a new golden era began with the founding of the largest and oldest university in the Low Countries ,
1701-408: The 2022, 2023, and 2024 Collegiate Games. This GAA club is part of a wider European league, Gaelic Games Europe , which is in itself part of the global organisation, The Gaelic Athletic Association The Old University of Leuven used to have 40 constituent colleges and 4 pedagogies , some of which are still being used by KU Leuven. The most notable ones are: Leuven is twinned with: Aside from
1764-496: The Arenberg Science Park and Haasrode Research-Park . Quite a few international companies such as Siemens , Huawei , Nitto Denko , JSR Corporation or Commscope have important, often research oriented branches, in Leuven. The academic hospital UZ Leuven , first in Europe regarding the number of clinical tests per capita and approval rates for clinical trials, UZ Leuven is another advanced research institute. It
1827-419: The German occupation of the two countries. However, the German advance into France was quickly halted, causing a military stalemate for most of the war. In the end, a total of approximately 56,000 people were killed in the invasion. During World War II , when Adolf Hitler 's gaze turned his strategy west toward France, the Low Countries were an easy route around the imposing French Maginot Line . He ordered
1890-647: The Low Countries formed a core part of a much expanded Francia and the Merovingians were replaced by the Carolingian dynasty . In 800, the Pope crowned and appointed Charlemagne Emperor of the re-established Roman Empire . After the death of Charlemagne , Francia was divided in three parts among his three grandsons. The middle slice, Middle Francia , was ruled by Lothair I , and thereby also came to be referred to as "Lotharingia" or "Lorraine". Apart from
1953-460: The Low Countries. Governor Mary of Hungary used both the expressions les pays de par deça and Pays d'Embas ("lands down here"), which evolved to Pays-Bas or Low Countries . Today the term is typically fitted to modern political boundaries and used in the same way as the term Benelux . The name of the country of the Netherlands has the same etymology and origin as
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2016-475: The activities of the Davidsfonds, Vermeylenfonds and Willemsfonds reflected a divided society, based upon political ideology. Called " pillarization " (Dutch: verzuiling), Catholic, socialist, and liberal interests formed parallel organizations ( political parties , trade unions , banks , newspapers , cultural, and social circles) to promote their interests. While sometimes leading to wasteful re-duplication
2079-549: The aforementioned cities, Leuven has friendly relations with: Leuven has an 'adoptive village' Low Countries The Low Countries ( Dutch : de Lage Landen ; French : les Pays-Bas ), historically also known as the Netherlands (Dutch: de Nederlanden ), is a coastal lowland region in Northwestern Europe forming the lower basin of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta and consisting today of
2142-460: The city centre. The so-called Ringbus follows the ring road of the city. Buses 91 and 616 connect Leuven with Brussels Airport . Leuven railway station is located on the NMBS railway lines 35 (Leuven– Aarschot – Hasselt ), 36 ( Brussels – Liège ), 36N ( Schaerbeek –Leuven), 53 ( Schellebelle –Leuven), and 139 (Leuven– Ottignies ). In Bierbeek , south-east of Leuven, lies the beginning of HSL 2 ,
2205-513: The city, with a total of more than 50,000 students as of June 2024. It is the oldest Catholic university still in existence in the world, and the largest university in Belgium. There are also a number of hogescholen (universities of applied sciences), such as the UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL). Within the city and its immediate surroundings, most distances can be covered on foot or with a bicycle. The attractive historical center of Leuven
2268-658: The defences of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. All three countries were occupied from May 1940 until early 1945. During the occupation, their governments were forced into exile in Britain. In 1944, they signed the London Customs Convention , laying the foundation for the eventual Benelux Economic Union , an important forerunner of the EEC (later the EU ). One of the Low Countries' earliest literary figures
2331-618: The foundation for modern triangulation methods and cartography. He further made important contributions to mathematics, geography and astronomy. Gerardus Mercator and John Dee were among his students. Leuven became a leading centre for the fabrication of precision astronomical instruments, such as the planetaria and the terrestrial and celestial globes built by Gaspard van der Heyden and Gualterus Arsenius . Andreas Vesalius completed his medicine studies in Leuven, before moving to Padova and Basel. Religious persecutions of Protestants, followed by greater religious and political turmoil starting in
2394-537: The heirs. By streamlining the succession law in all Seventeen Provinces and declaring that all of them would be inherited by one heir, Charles effectively united the Netherlands as one entity. After Charles' abdication in 1555, the Seventeen Provinces passed to his son, Philip II of Spain . The Pragmatic Sanction is said to be one example of the Habsburg contest with particularism that contributed to
2457-532: The high-speed railway towards Liège. The European route E40 passes Leuven in the south, the European route E314 connects Leuven with the city of Aachen . Brussels's Zaventem International Airport is 28 km from Leuven. The easiest and fastest way to reach Leuven from Brussels Airport is by train. A direct train will have you in Leuven in just 15 minutes. By car or taxi via European motorway E40 from Brussels airport to Leuven takes less than half an hour. After
2520-537: The late 1560s, greatly affected intellectual life in Leuven. Many professors and alumni from Leuven moved abroad. The newly founded University of Leiden in Holland, amongst others, would profit greatly from this brain drain. Despite this the university continued to excel in disciplines like theology with Johannes Molanus and classical studies with Justus Lipsius . In the 18th century, the brewery Den Horn (meaning "the horn") flourished. In 1708, Sebastien Artois became
2583-587: The main languages used in secular city life. Historically, the term Low Countries arose at the Court of the Dukes of Burgundy , who used the term les pays de par deçà ("the lands over here") for the Low Countries as opposed to les pays de par delà ("the lands over there") for the Duchy of Burgundy and the Free County of Burgundy , which were part of their realm but geographically disconnected from
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2646-590: The master brewer at Den Horn, and gave his name to the brewery in 1717, now part of AB InBev , whose flagship beer, Stella Artois , is brewed in Leuven and sold in many countries. Leuven developed considerably during the 19th century. Dozens of squares were created, including the Sint-Jacobsplein, the Volksplaats (today's Ladeuzeplein ) and the Statieplein (today's Martelarenplein). From 1835,
2709-417: The most densely populated regions of Western Europe. Guilds and councils governed most of the cities along with a figurehead ruler; interaction with their ruler was regulated by a strict set of rules describing what the latter could and could not expect. All of the regions mainly depended on trade, manufacturing and the encouragement of the free flow of goods and craftsmen. Dutch and French dialects were
2772-485: The municipal election on 13 October 2024, the Vooruit party strengthen its position. The governing coalition of Leuven will continue working together which consists of Vooruit (23 out of 47 seats), Groen (5 seats) and CD&V (7 seats), with Vooruit providing the mayor with Mohamed Ridouani. The opposition is composed of N-VA (10 seats), PVDA (1 seat) and Vlaams Belang (1 seat). One of Belgium's conservatories
2835-579: The municipality is Oud-Heverlee Leuven , successor of prior clubs Daring Club Leuven and Stade Leuven . Both the men's team and OH Leuven women play at the highest level. The city's prime basketball team is the Leuven Bears , they play their home games at the SportOase. Other known top-tier teams include IHC Leuven (ice hockey), KHC Leuven (field hockey) , Leuven aquatics(waterpolo) and VC Haasrode-Leuven (volleyball). Daring Club Leuven Atletiek
2898-468: The name for the region Low Countries, due to "nether" meaning "low". In the Dutch language itself De Lage Landen is the modern term for Low Countries, and De Nederlanden (plural) is in use for the 16th century domains of Charles V , the historic Low Countries, while Nederland (singular) is the normal Dutch name for the country of the Netherlands. However, in official use, the name of the Dutch kingdom
2961-506: The original coastal County of Flanders , which was within West Francia , the rest of the Low Countries were within the lowland part of this, " Lower Lorraine ". After the death of Lothair, the Low Countries were coveted by the rulers of both West Francia and East Francia . Each tried to swallow the region and to merge it with their spheres of influence. Thus, the Low Countries consisted of fiefs whose sovereignty resided with either
3024-541: The other, the southern Royal Netherlands or Belgica Regia remained loyal to the Spanish king. This divide laid the early foundation for the later modern states of Belgium and the Netherlands. The region politically had its origins in the Carolingian empire ; more precisely, most of the people were within the Duchy of Lower Lotharingia . After the disintegration of Lower Lotharingia, the Low Countries were brought under
3087-591: The pillars also supported each other (e.g., in labor strikes ) when it furthered their own interests. As of 2005, the organization had 60,000 members and 575 divisions. It organizes cultural activities and publishes a magazine and books. [REDACTED] Media related to Davidsfonds at Wikimedia Commons Leuven Leuven ( UK : / ˈ l ɜː v ən / , US : / ˈ l ʌ v ən / , Flemish: [ˈløːvə(n)] ), also called Louvain ( / l uː ˈ v æ̃ / , US also / l uː ˈ v eɪ n / , French: [luvɛ̃] ),
3150-484: The political secession of the autonomous Dutch Republic (or "United Provinces") in the north, the term "Low Countries" continued to be used to refer collectively to the region. The region was temporarily united politically between 1815 and 1839, as the United Kingdom of the Netherlands , before this split into the three modern countries of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The Low Countries were part of
3213-486: The regions without access to the sea linked themselves politically and economically to those with access to form various unions of ports and hinterland , stretching inland as far as parts of the German Rhineland . Because of this, nowadays not only physically low-altitude areas, but also some hilly or elevated regions are considered part of the Low Countries, including Luxembourg and the south of Belgium. Within
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#17327734002613276-525: The rule of the House of Valois , who were the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy . At the height of Burgundian influence, the Low Countries became the political, cultural, and economic centre of Northern Europe , noted for its crafts and luxury goods, notably early Netherlandish painting , which is the work of artists who were active in the flourishing cities of Bruges , Ghent , Mechelen , Leuven , Tournai and Brussels , all in present-day Belgium. Musicians of
3339-773: The rule of various lordships until they came to be in the hands of the Valois Dukes of Burgundy . Hence, a large part of the Low Countries came to be referred to as the Burgundian Netherlands . After the reign of the Valois Dukes ended, much of the Low Countries were controlled by the House of Habsburg . This area was referred to as the Habsburg Netherlands , which was also called the Seventeen Provinces up to 1581. Even after
3402-854: The seventeen declared their independence from Habsburg Spain in 1581, the ten provinces of the Southern Netherlands remained occupied by the Army of Flanders under Spanish service and are therefore sometimes called the Spanish Netherlands . In 1713, under the Treaty of Utrecht following the War of the Spanish Succession , what was left of the Spanish Netherlands was ceded to Austria and thus became known as
3465-642: The start of the German offensive , Leuven formed part of the British Expeditionary Force 's front line and was defended by units of the 3rd Division and Belgian troops. From 14 to 16 May 1940, the German Army Group B assaulted the city with heavy air and artillery support. The British withdrew their forces to the River Senne on the night of 16 May and the town was occupied the next day. The new university library building
3528-404: The streets of the city were lit with gas. The Voer stream was vaulted, the channels occupying the middle of the streets were removed, a number of narrow streets were widened or simply destroyed and a considerable number of sewers were installed. The municipal theatre and the main post office were built, respectively in 1866 and between 1893 and 1895. It was also at this time that the central prison
3591-420: The territories as a multitude of duchies and principalities until the Low Countries were eventually united into one indivisible territory, the Seventeen Provinces , covered by the Pragmatic Sanction of 1549 , while retaining existing customs, laws, and forms of government within the provinces. The Pragmatic Sanction transformed the agglomeration of lands into a unified entity, of which the Habsburgs would be
3654-435: The three modern " Benelux " countries: Belgium , Luxembourg , and the Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland , which is singular). Geographically and historically, the area can also include parts of France (such as Nord and Pas-de-Calais ) and the German regions of East Frisia , Guelders and Cleves . During the Middle Ages , the Low Countries were divided into numerous semi-independent principalities . Historically,
3717-405: Was destroyed on 25 August 1914, using petrol and incendiary pastilles. Approximately 230,000 volumes were lost in the destruction, including Gothic and Renaissance manuscripts, a collection of 750 medieval manuscripts, and more than 1,000 incunabula (books printed before 1501). The German atrocities and the cultural destruction caused worldwide outrage. The burning of the city was done as
3780-422: Was 104,009. The arrondissement of Leuven counted 527,443 in January 2024. The city itself is made up out of the centre of Leuven (30,313), Kessel-Lo (29,147), Heverlee (22,521), Wilsele (9,786) and Wijgmaal (3,592). Leuven has a large international student population, mainly concentrated around the city centre. The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven ( KU Leuven ; University of Leuven) has three campuses in
3843-418: Was built. Leuven has several times been besieged or occupied by foreign armies; these include the Battle of Leuven (891) , the Siege of Leuven (1635) and the Battle of Leuven (1831) . In the 20th century, both world wars inflicted major damage upon the city. Upon Germany's entry into World War I , the town was heavily damaged by rampaging soldiers. In all, about 300 civilians died. The university library
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#17327734002613906-558: Was set on fire by shelling, on 16 May, and nearly a million books were lost. Given the presence of the KU Leuven , Europe's most innovative university according to Reuters, much of the local economy is concentrated on spin-offs from academic research. In addition, the Leuven-based research centre, IMEC , is a research centre in the field of nano-electronics and digital technologies. As a result, dozens of companies in high technological fields such as biotech, robotics, additive manufacturing and IT, are located near these research institutes on
3969-399: Was voted European City of Sport for 2021, highlighted by hosting the UCI Road World Championships , which will follow several routes of the Grote Prijs Jef Scherens , a yearly cycling race in and around Leuven. The city also hosts the start of the Brabantse Pijl , a semi-classic race and the Cyclocross Leuven is a cyclo-cross race held each year in January. The main football club of
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