City: Aalst is a vibrant, ever-changing
city. As the world is constantly on the move, likewise the
city of Aalst is daily changing and evolving. For example,
there are things that have been around for many years; the
city coat of arms and the city flag, the expression "Onion"
(due to the extensive onion growing in the area), etc. - see
www.aalst.be. Aalst is a city in East-Flanders, located on
the river Dender. Aalst was first mentioned around the year
870 in a polyptych of the Abbey of Lobbes. Agricultural production
increased throughout the 11th century, its commercial success
gave rise to many new homes being built. In the Middle Ages
Aalst was an important trading city. When you take into consideration
the agriculture of common hop and later the cloth industry
one begins to arrive at a more complete picture of this thriving
city.
The nickname for the 78,000 Aalstenaars is 'onions '.
Variants on this name to be used include onion peelers, onion
farmers, onion devours. This name originates from the 19th
century when Aalst and the surrounding area was a center for
the cultivation of onions. The Aalstenaars, not hesistating
for some self-mockery, adapted the name with pride.
