Kruibeke

Kruibeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Bazel[?], Kruibeke proper and Rupelmonde. On January 1st, 2000 Kruibeke had a total population of 14,556 (7,272 males and 7,284 females). The total area is 33.64 km² which gives a population density of 432.70 inhabitants per km².

The mayor is Antoine Denert. In March 2003 he set up the Department of Tenderness to encourage residents to be nicer to each other. Denert worries that "People don't cuddle any more and that's the reason why there are so many conflicts." and announces: "I will set an example and start in my own village by caressing, cuddling and kissing as many people as possible." To his alderman portfolio of duties, until then Work, Environment and Budget, was officially added Tenderness.

As of April 8, 2003, no other civic governments have adopted this idea.

• http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_764985?menu=news.quirkies
• http://www.beverland.be/regio.php?subaction=showfull&id=1048635300