Named the 'Turkish Village' despite no Turks living there: They decorated everything with crescents and stars
The village of Faymonville in Belgium, where no Turks live, has been known as the Turkish village since the 12th century. The local people identify themselves as Turks.
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The Belgian village of Faymonville has been known as the 'Turkish village' since the 12th century. And this is despite the fact that not a single Turk lives there...
Moreover, this is not just a name. In the village, where every corner is decorated with crescents and stars, the people identify themselves as Turks.
WHY ARE THE VILLAGERS OF FAYMONVILLE CALLED TURKS?
There are various rumors behind why Faymonville is 'Turkish'. It is thought that the villagers were first called Turks by the Church and surrounding villages due to their conflicts with the Catholic Church.
There are different stories told in the village regarding this situation. One of them is that the villagers refused to pay taxes collected for wars to be fought against the Ottomans in the 16th century to the Church. Another story is that they did not send soldiers to the Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries. Although it is not known which story is true, what is certain is that the villagers of Faymonville, instead of taking being called Turks as an insult, have turned it into an indispensable part of their identity.
RED, WHITE, AND THE CRESCENT-STAR AT THE CARNIVAL
The nationwide Belgian Carnival, held every year in February, is celebrated differently in the village of Faymonville.
While the villagers organize a parade with colorful costumes every February, the red and white flag with a crescent and star on it draws attention during the ceremony. Turks living in different parts of Belgium and Europe also attend the carnival every year.
SYMBOLS RELATED TO TURKISHNESS DRAW ATTENTION
There are symbols related to Turkishness in many places in the village. The name of the village's football club is 'R.F.C Turkania'. In addition, there is a crescent and star embedded in the floor at the entrance of the village's town hall. The Turkish flag is also engraved on the weather vane on the building. The word 'Turk' and the crescent and star can be found in many parts of the village.