The Flemish-Netherlands cultural association Ons Erfdeel vzw was established in 1970 as a non-profit-making organisation and is a recognised legal entity in the Netherlands and in Flanders. Ideologically and politically it is totally independent.

Objectives

Ons Erfdeel vzw has a dual aim:

  • to increase awareness of Flemish and Dutch culture abroad;
  • to promote cultural cooperation between all Dutch-speaking people.

The association seeks to achieve these objectives by publishing and distributing books and periodicals in Dutch and other languages and by organising events, debates and other cultural occasions.

Origins and development

Ons Erfdeel vzw grew out of the periodical Ons Erfdeel which was founded by Jozef Deleu in 1957. The journal’s success was such that by the end of the 1960s a more professional organisation was needed.

In June 1972 the new cultural institution began its activities with the publication of the French-language journal Septentrion. From 1976 on Ons Erfdeel vzw has published the bilingual yearbook De Franse Nederlanden/Les Pays-Bas Français, which was followed in 1993 by the first issue of the English-language yearbook The Low Countries. In addition to these Ons Erfdeel vzw has published numerous books in various languages on aspects of the culture of Flanders and the Netherlands.

The financial and general management of Ons Erfdeel vzw is separate from the editorial activities. The link between the organisation’s management and the editorial boards of its publications is the managing director, who is also the chief editor of all the publications.

Jozef Deleu was the organisation’s Managing Director and Chief Editor of all its publications until 30 April 2002. He has been succeeded in both positions by Luc Devoldere.

Who’s Who

Board of Directors

  • Herman Balthazar, President
  • Luc Devoldere, Managing Director
  • Bert De Graeve / Mark Leysen / Frits van Oostrom / Adriaan van der Staay / Ludo Verhoeven
  • Philip Houben, Honorary President

Publications Editors

  • Luc Devoldere, Chief Editor
  • Dirk Van Assche and Frits Niessen, Assistant Chief Editors

Editorial Secretaries

  • Dirk Van Assche, Editorial Secretary and Managing Editor, De Franse Nederlanden / Les Pays-Bas Français
  • Hans Vanacker, Editorial Secretary and Managing Editor, Septentrion
  • Luc Devoldere, Editorial Secretary and Managing Editor, The Low Countries
  • Pieter Coupé, Editorial Secretary and Managing Editor, Ons Erfdeel

Administration

  • Kevin Vandenbussche, Head of Administration
  • Adinda Houttekier,  Administrative Secretary

Address

Murissonstraat 260, B-8930 Rekkem, Flanders, Belgium
Tel. +32 (0)56 41 12 01
Fax. +32 (0) 56 41 47 07

Email

General: info@onserfdeel.be
Administration: adm@onserfdeel.be

Publications:

Chief Editor: luc.devoldere@onserfdeel.be