You'd think the Iraqi government would have more important things to think about than tongue-in-cheek actions in Flanders; and, of course, you'd be right. The two men were not Iraqi diplomats at all; the event was just the latest in a long line of eye-catching stunts by Edmond Cocquyt, Jr (Cocquyt Sr is himself a local activist and chairman of a local retailers' group). Cocquyt the son was one of the organisers behind the massive volksfeest, or people's party, in Ghent to mark the new world record.

In 2008, Cocquyt (photo, right) pretended to set up a new political party, the N-GA or New Ghent Alliance, which claimed unilateral independence from Brussels' "interference". The logo and other party materials looked suspiciously like those of the N-VA, and Cocquyt was listed as "party ideologue".

Party policy also included the annexation of Terneuzen in Zeeland and the expulsion of all West Flemings. "Every revolution needs to have its scapegoats," Cocquyt told Het Nieuwsblad. "The West Flemings are just unlucky."

Although Cocquyt, 34, is a pillar of Ghent nightlife, he drew up a handy café plan of Leuven, together with local boy Ben Mouling. The twist came when they prominently featured sponsorship from Maes Pils, a sacrilege in the city of InBev. The café plan has since spread to other cities. Cocquyt was also involved in the Ghent version of the Use-It tourist map for young people and is a familiar face around the Gentse Feesten.

Last week, it was a joy to watch as Carl De Vos, the extremely serious political scientist and professor from Ghent University, tried to crack a smile as he acknowledged the record- marking events on the late- night discussion programme Reyers Laat. At the same time, Cocquyt, all poker-faced intensity, described how young people were proud that their political representatives had managed to hold out so long, just so Belgium could achieve such an honour.

Belgian surrealism at its best: you think you get the joke, but the joke you get is not the one everyone else is in on.