The linguistic and cultural divide between the three regions of Belgium (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels) can lead to non-violent tensions that make it difficult for true patriotism to be possible. The Cantus serves to overcome the divisions within Belgium society by bringing people together to celebrate their shared country through the singing of traditional songs, and the enjoyment of one another’s company.
As mentioned above, traditionally, the Cantus must be organized by a group from the local university. And the nature of the Cantus is always shaped by the school and city who organized it. There are certain rules that need to be followed including which songs will be sung. Schools or organizations that are in more conservative areas will be more strict about what songs can and cannot be performed. Also, depending on the region, songs will be sung in a particular language: for instance, in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium, more French songs will be sung. And the opposite is true in the Dutch and German speaking parts of Belgium.
