Belgium Absurdistan

After his much-appreciated view of the American, Rik Vanwalleghem now turns his ironic gaze on his own national character

All the absurd aspects of this country are mercilessly and humorously taken to task: the brick in the stomach, our stubborn morals and customs, our national sport: 'foefelare' ...

Amusing and insightful reading from a masterful storyteller

In this book, journalist and author Rik Vanwalleghem undertakes his most difficult journey ever: to the absurd side of our own country. His starting point? Belgium does not exist (the author calls it a 'nand' - an uncountry). Our country is nothing more than a collection of millions of mini-states. Each Belgian rules like a king over his own plot of land and, based on the unwritten plot laws, happily does his own - sometimes illegal - way. What keeps us together is a common enemy: the red tape of Brussels. The countless 'shit' and associated building violations, our national sports 'fiddling' and 'cheating the tax authorities', the many blunders of our countless governments,... All the absurd sides of Belgium are discussed in a hilarious book that holds up a mirror to us all...