Answer

Based on his humanistic worldview, Vermeylen advocated more openness in relation to other cultures and peoples. Going even further than MacLeod, he wanted to open up the ´Flemish house´ to all corners – specific mention is made of France, England and Germany. Continuous exchange with “all the rich life” which comes from other European countries was, in his opinion, the best remedy for strengthening Flemish culture. “The best way to remain who we are”, says the text. A few years later, in 1900, Vermeylen was to encapsulate his cosmopolitan brand of Flamingantism in the well-known slogan “We want to be Flemings, in order to become Europeans”.

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