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Writing Competition: Bread & Roses – A New Purpose for Our Times

Brood & Rozen , the magazine for social history in Flanders, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, Amsab-ISG is organizing a writing competition.

We challenge you to consider the current meaning of the slogan that gave our magazine its name:  

'We want bread, but we want roses too.' 

The power of a slogan

" We want bread, but we want roses too "  became known as a rallying cry when textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts (USA) chanted these words during their 1912 strike.

Bread stood for fair wages and better working conditions. Roses for everything that makes life more than just survival: culture, education, nature, equality—the right to a beautiful and fulfilling existence. 

Since then, the slogan has grown into an international symbol of social struggle. 

Make your voice heard: what does Brood & Rozen today?

More than a hundred years later, we're giving you the floor. What can Brood & Rozen mean today? What new dimensions does the slogan take on in light of current social and global challenges?

Make your voice heard. Write a piece that surprises, challenges, and inspires with innovative ideas about justice, dignity, and hope in the 21st century. 

How do you participate in the competition?

  • Assignment: write a Dutch text of maximum 2,000 words with your vision on Brood & Rozen .

  • Format: completely free – from an essay to slam poetry, anything goes.

  • Deadline: January 18, 2026

  • Submit: email your text as a PDF to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What can you win? 

  • A cash prize of €500. 

  • A publication of your text in Brood & Rozen , the magazine of Amsab-ISG.

The winner will be announced during the 30th anniversary celebration of Brood & Rozen in VIERNULVIER in Ghent on Friday, April 24, 2026

The jury

Entries will be judged on originality and writing style by: 

  • Bieke Purnelle - Director of RoSa, the Knowledge Centre for Gender, Feminism and Equal Opportunities, and columnist for De Standaard and MO*

  • Layla El-Dekmak - Journalist, radio, documentary and podcast maker

  • Filip Rogiers - Writer and journalist for De Standaard.

  • Paule Verbruggen - Director of Amsab-ISG and editor-in-chief of Brood & Rozen

  • Martine Vermandere - Public Relations Coordinator at Amsab-ISG

What are the rules of the game?

  • You are at least 18 years old.

  • You write in Dutch.

  • Your text must contain a maximum of 2,000 words.

  • Your text must not have been previously published.

  • You submit your text as a PDF.

  • The use of AI is not allowed.

Read more about Bread & Roses