Flanders Day: film director Fien Troch one of five ‘Flemish ambassadors for Brussels’

Today, 11 July, is Flanders Day or the Day of the Flemish Community of Belgium. At the occasion of the festivities, five new ‘Flemish ambassadors for Brussels’ have been presented. Among them is the well-known film director Fien Troch, whose last film ‘Holly’ was selected for the official main competition of the Venice International Film Festival.

Flemish minister for Brussels Benjamin Dalle last year launched the ‘Flemish ambassadors for Brussels’ initiative to strengthen the city's image, both within Brussels and in Flanders. It should also help to improve the connection between Flanders and Brussels. “The Brussels ambassadors prove to the whole country the vibrant and dynamic potential of the city," said Dalle to the Brussels media Bruzz. “They can reach hundreds of thousands of people.”

The most well-known new ambassador is film director and screenwriter Fien Troch from Molenbeek, who has won several awards with her films, and her work has been screened at different international film festivals. ‘Holly’, her last film, was selected for the official main competition of the Venice International Film Festival. She often draws inspiration from her life in Brussels. "I will continue to spread my love for the city with great enthusiasm," she declared.

Among the other new ambassadors are actress Chris Lomme and youth worker Khalid El Addaoui, who coordinates the youth organisation D'Broej. The other two are Wenke Thewis, co-founder of a basketball club for girls from vulnerable backgrounds, and Geert Dehaes of the Brusseleir! organisation that promotes the Brussels dialect.

​_{#FlandersNewsService | Director Fien Troch poses on the red carpet for the premiere of the film "Holly" during the 80th Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, in 2023. ​ © BELGA PHOTO Xinhua/Jin Mamengni}