Four Belgians Receive Flemish Honors on National Day

Four distinguished figures from vastly different fields — cycling, visual arts, gastronomy, and humanitarian medicine — have been awarded the Honorary Distinction of the Flemish Community (Ereteken van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap) on the occasion of the Flemish holiday on 11 July 2026. The recipients are cyclist Lotte Kopecky, artist Michaël Borremans, chef Piet Huysentruyt, and surgeon and humanitarian Réginald Moreels, as reported by VRT NWS.

A Tradition of Recognition

The Flemish honors, established in 2015 by the Flemish Government, recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the development, positive image, and international reputation of Flanders. The 2026 ceremony marks the 12th edition of the awards, which are presented annually on 11 July — Flemish Community Day — at the Errerahuis, the official residence of the Minister-President in Brussels. According to the official Flemish Government website, all members of the Flemish Government may nominate candidates, with the final list approved before 30 June each year.

The Four Laureates

Lotte Kopecky, aged 30, is widely regarded as one of the most versatile cyclists of her generation. The Rumst-born athlete holds a record three victories in the Tour of Flanders and has won Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche (twice), Paris-Roubaix, and the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. She was crowned World Road Race Champion in 2023 and 2024 and secured an Olympic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games. Kopecky was not present at the ceremony, likely due to training commitments ahead of the Tour de France Femmes.

Michaël Borremans, 62, is one of Belgium’s most renowned contemporary visual artists. Born in Geraardsbergen, he studied at the Kunsthumaniora and Sint-Lucas before working as a photographer and teacher. He began painting at age 33 and achieved international breakthrough in the early 2000s with his figurative work. The Guardian has called him “one of the most inspiring living painters.” His works are held by major museums including MoMA in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and BOZAR in Brussels. In 2015, his painting “Girl with Duck” sold for €2.7 million, making him the most expensive living Belgian painter at the time, as noted by Radio MIG. Borremans was also absent from the ceremony.

Piet Huysentruyt, 63, is Flanders’ most famous television chef. Trained at the Ter Duinen hotel school, the Kortrijk-born chef earned Michelin stars for his restaurants in Wortegem-Petegem and the French Ardèche. He became a household name through VTM programs “Lekker Thuis” and especially “SOS Piet,” where his iconic question “Wat hebben we vandaag geleerd?” (What have we learned today?) became embedded in Flemish popular culture. TVvisie reports that Huysentruyt was praised for making cooking accessible to generations of Flemings. He was present at the ceremony to receive his honor.

Réginald Moreels, 76, is a surgeon and humanitarian who co-founded the Belgian branch of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in the 1980s and served as its chairman from 1986 to 1994. Born in Ghent, he later served as State Secretary and Minister of Development Cooperation for the CD&V party from 1995 to 1999. Moreels has worked as a humanitarian surgeon in conflict zones including Rwanda, Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Syria, and the former Yugoslavia. Since 2014, he has been active in healthcare development in the Beni region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, helping build a surgical and obstetric center. He was present at the ceremony.

The Ceremony

Minister-President Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) presented the awards at the Errerahuis in Brussels. The ceremony was attended by a broad cross-section of the Flemish Government, including ministers Caroline Gennez (Welfare and Culture, Vooruit), Ben Weyts (Finance and Budget, N-VA), Zuhal Demir (Education and Work, N-VA), Jo Brouns (Agriculture and Environment, CD&V), and Cieltje Van Achter (Brussels and Media, N-VA), as detailed by Het Laatste Nieuws.

A notable detail: only two of the four laureates — Huysentruyt and Moreels — were present to receive their honors in person. Kopecky was reportedly training in Corsica for the Tour de France Femmes, while no specific reason was given for Borremans’ absence.

Significance and Broader Context

The 2026 selection reflects the diversity of Flemish excellence, spanning professional sports, contemporary art, culinary innovation, and humanitarian work. The Flemish honors serve as an important instrument for the Flemish Government to recognize and promote Flemish identity and achievement on both domestic and international stages. Previous notable recipients include singer Will Tura, gymnast Nina Derwael, and imec CEO Luc Van den hove.

What’s Next

While the ceremony has concluded, questions remain about whether the absent laureates — Kopecky and Borremans — will receive their honors at a separate occasion. For now, the four join an exclusive group of Flemings whose exceptional contributions have been formally recognized by their community, cementing their place in Flanders’ cultural and social history.