JANUARY 31, 2026 — The Dutch village of Braamt has officially introduced its first local flag, reports Regio8.
The new banner, featuring a green and white colour scheme, incorporates local landmarks including the Stroombroek mill and the Braamtse Gat.
The design, submitted by resident Daan Kel, secured approximately 20 per cent of the public vote and was selected by a five-member jury that included the Mayor of Montferland and the designer of the regional Achterhoek flag.
The initiative was spearheaded by the local village council after residents proposed the idea as a means of strengthening social ties. The contest, which launched in late 2025, attracted 43 unique entries ranging from modern minimalist graphics to hand-drawn illustrations.
According to council representative Jessica van der Zande, the high level of engagement, evidenced by nearly 300 votes cast in a village of roughly 500 households, surpassed initial expectations. The winning design draws on the traditional colours of Braamt and St. George, while the central imagery focuses on the village’s agricultural and geographical heritage.
The village council has announced an ambitious distribution plan to ensure the flag becomes a permanent fixture of the local landscape. The objective is to provide a free flag to every household, with the intent that they be displayed collectively during local festivities such as the June fair.
To maintain the flag’s presence over time, the council has stipulated that the physical banners are tied to the property rather than the individual; residents who move away are expected to leave the flag for the next occupants, though additional copies will be made available for private purchase.
Image: Dorpsraad Braamt
