On July 21, 2021, teaching staff and students of the Department of Romance Philology at the MCU Institute of Foreign Languages held an online meeting with Jean Francois Thiry, Director of the Pokrovskie Vorota Cultural Center, and spoke with him about Belgian culture and Belgian National Day.
At the meeting, Mr. Thiry elaborated on the history of the Kingdom of Belgium and its first king Leopold. He paid special attention to Belgian National Day which is on July 21: the Royal family starts it with a solemn service Te Deum at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, and the celebration continues with a military parade.
The discussion also touched on several relevant topics: the recent flood in Europe as well as migration, stereotypes, and their overcoming.
The meeting ended with the participants singing the anthem of the Kingdom of Belgium.