A Dog of Flanders

Published in 1872 under the pen name "Ouida," "A Dog of Flanders" is a novel penned by English author Marie Louise de la Ramée. It tells the tale of Nello, a Flemish boy, and his loyal canine companion, Patrasche, set against the backdrop of Antwerp. This book has maintained enduring popularity as a beloved children's classic in countries like Japan, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines for many years. It has also inspired multiple adaptations into Japanese films and anime productions. Recognizing this, Belgian tourism authorities erected two monuments in the 1980s to attract tourists from East Asia. One is a statue of Nello and Patrasche in Kapelstraat, an Antwerp suburb called Hoboken, and the other is a commemorative plaque in front of the Antwerp Cathedral, generously donated by Toyota.