QuoteA new design for a €2 coin featuring a map of a European battle is proving divisive in Brussels.
The design shows an image of the Lion Hill memorial at Waterloo, near Brussels. It was submitted by Belgium to commemorate the battle fought there on 18 June 1815.
But one member of the European Union thinks it is in rather poor taste.
In a letter of objection, the French government argues the design contains a "negative" symbol for some Europeans.
The letter contends that the Battle of Waterloo, in which Napoleon was defeated, is an event with particular resonance in the European collective memory and goes beyond being just an instance of military conflict.
The coins could prompt an unfavourable reaction in France, the letter warns, at just the time that eurozone governments are trying to strengthen unity and co-operation.
'Fuss in Paris'
Not everyone agrees that Waterloo is laden with so much meaning in the 21st Century, reports the BBC's Chris Morris in Brussels.
One diplomat expressed surprise that "two centuries later a proposal for some loose change with an image of a hill on it can cause such a fuss in Paris," our correspondent adds.
Belgium must now decide whether it is willing to withdraw or amend the design.
If it chooses to stick with it as it is, there will be a majority vote among members of the eurozone on whether the new coin should be minted.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31841421 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31841421)
How long till France surrenders to belgium :nelson:
Quote from: Archy on March 12, 2015, 09:17:25 AM
How long till France surrenders to belgium :nelson:
Whatever. Belgium surrendered first.
By all means, celebrate monarchist absolutism. What's next, Council Of Vienna finger cookies? A McMetternich with Cheese?
French press did not mention it :tinfoil:
Too busy celebrating PSG qualification for the Champions' League quarter finals :frog:
PS: lemonde.fr mentioned it eventually at 20.00 CET
I'll take a Davout, hold the Bernadotte sauce.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 12, 2015, 09:27:17 AM
By all means, celebrate monarchist absolutism. What's next, Council Of Vienna finger cookies? A McMetternich with Cheese?
A celebration of Prussian militarism, Dutch domination, and the largest EU economy not in the Eurozone, perhaps? :hmm:
Oh wait, that's what they are doing.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 12, 2015, 09:27:17 AM
By all means, celebrate monarchist absolutism. What's next, Council Of Vienna finger cookies? A McMetternich with Cheese?
I don't follow.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 12, 2015, 09:27:17 AM
By all means, celebrate monarchist absolutism.
The only absolute things about George IV were his gluttony and dissolution.
Louis XVIII was another whose ambitions did not extend very far past his ample dinner table.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on March 12, 2015, 01:11:36 PM
Louis XVIII was another whose ambitions did not extend very far past his ample dinner table.
Well beyond his treasonous stirring up of counter-revolution in exile :angry:
Of course he would almost certainly have been executed if he had stayed but still.
Germany needs to do a 1940 commemorative design with that French dude crying. Then Belgium's won't look so bad.
Quote from: derspiess on March 12, 2015, 03:10:49 PM
Germany needs to do a 1940 commemorative design with that French dude crying. Then Belgium's won't look so bad.
I think France should do an annexation of Belgium commemorative. Then an 1806 occupation of Berlin one.
Hell once this dam breaks the trolling commemorative coins might never end.
But Belgium didn't actually fight (or even exist) during Waterloo. They're just commemorating the fact a battle was fought, not who won or lost.
Quote from: Valmy on March 12, 2015, 01:14:07 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on March 12, 2015, 01:11:36 PM
Louis XVIII was another whose ambitions did not extend very far past his ample dinner table.
Well beyond his treasonous stirring up of counter-revolution in exile :angry:
Of course he would almost certainly have been executed if he had stayed but still.
How is one treasonous against oneself? :hmm: :royalist:
Shouldn't Sweden be the one commemorating Waterloo? :hmm:
Quote from: Valmy on March 12, 2015, 03:17:48 PM
I think France should do an annexation of Belgium commemorative. Then an 1806 occupation of Berlin one.
A post-WWI Rhineland Occupation one would probably be good-- maybe one featuring a
Rheinlandbastard.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on March 12, 2015, 03:29:18 PM
Shouldn't Sweden be the one commemorating Waterloo? :hmm:
They should have done that last april as it was the 40th anniversary. :gasp:
Quote from: Habbaku on March 12, 2015, 03:27:51 PM
How is one treasonous against oneself? :hmm: :royalist:
He was French and thus his first loyalty was to the nation!
Quote from: Valmy on March 12, 2015, 03:36:28 PM
Quote from: Habbaku on March 12, 2015, 03:27:51 PM
How is one treasonous against oneself? :hmm: :royalist:
He was French and thus his first loyalty was to the nation!
"L'État, c'est moi"
Quote from: Barrister on March 12, 2015, 03:38:20 PM
"L'État, c'est moi"
Like the Duke of Provence ever showed Louis XVI that much deference. He actually worked to undermine his ministers. Hardly a believer in absolute monarchy.
Brits are really missing a trick by not joining the Euro and releasing Trafalgar and Agincourt coins.
I always thought they should rebuild the Tannenburg monument.
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2015, 09:29:42 AM
I'll take a Davout, hold the Bernadotte sauce.
The coin would have looked different with a Davout and cheese, hold the Ney - oh, and a side order of Grouchy arriving before it got cold.
Quote from: PDH on March 12, 2015, 06:54:19 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 12, 2015, 09:29:42 AM
I'll take a Davout, hold the Bernadotte sauce.
The coin would have looked different with a Davout and cheese, hold the Ney - oh, and a side order of Grouchy arriving before it got cold.
I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE
Quote from: Valmy on March 12, 2015, 03:41:56 PM
Quote from: Barrister on March 12, 2015, 03:38:20 PM
"L'État, c'est moi"
Like the Duke of Provence ever showed Louis XVI that much deference. He actually worked to undermine his ministers. Hardly a believer in absolute monarchy.
Yeah, rather a plutocracy.
Quote from: Razgovory on March 12, 2015, 06:24:25 PM
I always thought they should rebuild the Tannenburg monument.
What is Tannenburg?
Quote from: derspiess on March 12, 2015, 03:30:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 12, 2015, 03:17:48 PM
I think France should do an annexation of Belgium commemorative. Then an 1806 occupation of Berlin one.
A post-WWI Rhineland Occupation one would probably be good-- maybe one featuring a Rheinlandbastard.
That would be a good compromise, since we helped the French than.
Quote from: Archy on March 13, 2015, 03:36:17 AM
That would be a good compromise, since we helped the French than.
See? European Unity can be more than just a dream.
Quote from: celedhring on March 12, 2015, 04:02:16 PM
Brits are really missing a trick by not joining the Euro and releasing Trafalgar and Agincourt coins.
It could be a beautiful endless trolling operation :blush:
'This year we're celebrating the 427th anniversary of God smiting the Armada! Next year the 363rd anniversary of the Battle of the Gabbard! :o :lol:
The 670th anniversary of the battle of Neville's Cross comes up next year too :cool:
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on March 13, 2015, 07:44:51 PM
The 670th anniversary of the battle of Neville's Cross comes up next year too :cool:
You should send a card to Alex Salmond
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 13, 2015, 06:32:17 PM
It could be a beautiful endless trolling operation :blush:
'This year we're celebrating the 427th anniversary of God smiting the Armada! Next year the 363rd anniversary of the Battle of the Gabbard! :o :lol:
You guys have the unfair advantage of being on the winning side of virtually every European War. It could go on and on
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on March 13, 2015, 07:44:51 PM
The 670th anniversary of the battle of Neville's Cross comes up next year too :cool:
The problem with Scotland is that it is full of Scots.
hehe France sucks