flag of Alsace

{{Infobox flag

| Name = Flag of Alsace

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| Image = Flag of Alsace (historical).svg

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| Nickname = {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}}

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| Use =

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| Adoption = 11th century

| Design = Red and white

| Designer = Gérard d'Alsace, Duke of Lorraine

|Image2=Flag of Alsace.svg|Imagetext2=The official flag of Alsace 2008–present}}

The flag of Alsace, known as the Red-and-White ({{lang|gsw|Rot-un-Wiss}} in the Alsatian dialect), is the original red and white flag of the region, and can be traced to the red and white banner of Gerard, Duke of Lorraine in the 11th century.

Particularly since the introduction of new French region Grand Est, the traditional {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}} flag of Alsace has been widely promoted by the advocates of the Alsace autonomous movement.

History

= {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}} (from the 11th century) =

The original flag of Alsace, the {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}}, dates back to the red and white banner[http://www.genealogie-bisval.net/Images/Lorraine.gif Image] genealogie-bisval.net of Gerard, Duke of Lorraine in the 11th century.

Red and white colours are commonly found on the coat of arms of Alsatian cities such as Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Sélestat,{{Cite web|url=https://www.unserland.org/dossiers/breve-histoire-dun-drapeau-alsacien/|title=Brève histoire du drapeau alsacien|access-date=Oct 17, 2019|archive-date=October 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017014347/https://www.unserland.org/dossiers/breve-histoire-dun-drapeau-alsacien/|url-status=dead}} and additionally of many Swiss cities, especially in the region of Basel-Landschaft.

= Departmental and regional flags =

Perhaps as the {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}} marks the Germanic roots of Alsace, it was replaced in 1949 by a new flag, representing the union of the two {{lang|fr|départements}} of {{lang|fr|Haut-Rhin}} and {{lang|fr|Bas-Rhin}}, however without real historical relevance. It was subsequently modified to a slightly different appearance, yet also representing the two departments. The flag is currently used by the European Collectivity of Alsace created in January 2021.{{cite tweet|number=1409520340204654592|user=lalsace|title=La composition du nouveau conseil départemental d'Alsace - |date=28 June 2021}}

File:Banner of the Prince-Bishopric of Strassbourg I (1^1).svg|Prince-Bishopric of Strasbourg (982–1803)

File:Dienstflagge Elsaß-Lothringen Kaiserreich.svg|Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine (1871–1918)

File:Flag of the Republic of Alsace-Lorraine.svg|Unofficial flag of Alsace from the beginning of the 20th century, used by supporters of increasing autonomy.

File:Socialist red flag.svg|Alsace-Lorraine Soviet Republic, red flag (1918)

File:Flag of Alsace (old).svg|The official flag of Alsace 1949–2008, representing the two {{lang|fr|départements}} of {{lang|fr|Haut-Rhin}} and {{lang|fr|Bas-Rhin}}

File:Flag of Alsace.svg|The official flag of Alsace 2008–present

File:Flag of the former Region of Alsace.svg|Flag of the former Region of Alsace 2011–2016

File:Logo of Alsace.png|Official logo of the European Collectivity of Alsace 2021–present

Recognition

There is controversy around the recognition of the Alsatian flag.

With the purpose of "Francosizing" the region, the {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}} has not been recognised by the French government. Some French politicians{{who|date=July 2024}} have erroneously called this a "Nazi invention"{{cn|date=July 2024}} — while the {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}} is still known as the real historical emblem of the region by most of the population and the departments' parliaments.

Subsequently, the {{lang|gsw|Rot un Wiss}} has been widely used during protests against the creation of a new "super-region" Grand Est, gathering Champagne-Ardennes, Lorraine and Alsace, namely on Colmar's statue of liberty.{{Cite web|url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/grand-est/2014/11/16/colmar-une-statu-de-la-liberte-en-rot-und-wiss-593102.html|title=Colmar : une statue de la Liberté en "Rot und Wiss"|website=France 3 Grand Est|date=16 November 2014 |access-date=October 17, 2019}}

References

Category:11th-century introductions

Flag

Category:Red and white flags

Category:Flags of France

Category:Flags of Germany