A provision in Lokeren forbids “fortune telling, interpretation of dreams, quackery, and all related practices”.
Article 127
Public games are prohibited, unless prior written consent is provided by the mayor at least 8 days in advance.
Additionally, an individual must be designated to enforce “prescribed safety precautions”. The person in charge must present an insurance policy covering any and all possible damages likely to arise.
Street musicians can be fined for playing off-key.
In Leuven, Article 424 doesn’t literally provide that playing off-key, but it does state that a musical performance must not give rise to “a disturbance of the public order or peace”. However, local authorities have interpreted this provision to prohibit playing off-key.
None shall take your last cow (or 12 sheep), pig, or 24 chickens.
The Belgian Judicial Code provides a list of goods and items that may not, in principle, be seized by a bailiff (art. 1408), basically in order to safeguard minimal living conditions and means. While such a list is useful in itself, its details harken back to days of yore. Most notably, it details that a…
No Dutch Royals may hold a position of power or public authority in Belgium.
A decree of November 24, 1830 debars members of the House of Orange-Nassau (basically: the Dutch royal family) from any position of power or public authority in Belgium — forever! In theory it not only excludes members of said House from the throne, but also from access to the public sector and from standing for…
The King of Belgium can mobilize troops in Congo.
Even though Congo achieved independence in 1960, the King of Belgium is still officially authorized to mobilize the military in ‘Belgian-Congo’, as well to ensure the protection of the country’s citizenry in the event of war. In times of peace, the King may even take such measures proactively.