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'Of Flesh and Blood' Back on TV: Dessel Residents Look Back at "A Piece of Kempen Heritage"

From VRT NWS · (1h ago) Dutch Positive tone

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Flemish television series 'Van vlees en bloed' (Of Flesh and Blood) is being re-aired, sparking nostalgia and renewed interest in its filming locations.
  • Residents of Dessel and Retie, where the series was filmed, recall the production as a significant event that put their region on the map.
  • The series, which depicted the lives of the Vangenechten butcher family, is remembered as a piece of "Kempens erfgoed" (heritage of the Kempen region).

The recent re-airing of the beloved Flemish television series 'Van vlees en bloed' has brought a wave of nostalgia and a renewed appreciation for this cultural touchstone. For the residents of Dessel and Retie, the towns that served as the backdrop for the Vangenechten family's story, the series remains a cherished piece of local heritage.

The series has put Dessel on the map.

— Local residentReflecting on the impact of the television series 'Van vlees en bloed' on the town of Dessel.

Locals fondly recall the filming period as a "whole experience," emphasizing the series' profound impact on putting their region, the Kempen, "on the map." The Vangenechten butcher shop, though now a flower shop, remains a recognizable landmark, with visitors still occasionally asking for a "100 grams of salami" – a nod to a memorable character from the show. This enduring connection highlights how deeply the series resonated with the community.

The period of the filming was a whole experience.

— RosaA Dessel resident recalling the filming of 'Van vlees en bloed'.

Residents like Rosa, who has lived in Dessel for 62 years, remember the months of filming not as a disruption, but as a positive interaction with friendly actors. The final product, she notes, masterfully captured the "Desselse mentaliteit" (the mentality of Dessel residents), making the series a true reflection of local life and character. The show's ability to capture this authentic spirit is what makes it such a lasting part of Flemish television history.

It is a piece of Kempens erfgoed that will never be forgotten.

— RosaDescribing the significance of the series 'Van vlees en bloed' to the Kempen region.

Even now, buses of tourists stop to take photos, and the series is a frequent reference point for local traditions, such as scavenger hunt tasks for youth groups or bachelor party dares. This enduring legacy underscores 'Van vlees en bloed's' significance, not just as entertainment, but as a cultural phenomenon that continues to connect people to their roots and shared memories.

Even now, people still regularly ask for 100 grams of salami.

— Ilona de KortOwner of the former Vangenechten butcher shop, noting the lasting impact of the series.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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