Carnival Season in French-speaking Belgium
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Belgium comes alive each year as carnival season begins. To experience one of the most festive times of year, venture into Belgium’s French-speaking region in the south, Wallonia, with its rolling hills, lush green landscapes and picturesque towns with cobble stone streets.
Each town has their own colorful celebration taking place, generally, immediately before Lent. The festivities come complete with costumes, masks, street parties and processions filling the streets. Carnival is steeped in long standing Medieval traditions, which locals take pride in recreating each year.
Belgium's most famous carnival, the carnival in small town of Binche, attracts thousands of visitors annually. This colorful event, named a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intagible Heritage of Humanity, is a must see event. Dating back to the 14th century, it is most famous for its parade on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) of Gilles - performers disguised with masks, red costumes and wooden clogs.
The Gilles of Binche follow a strict set of rules. They must be born in Binche, can only come out on Mardi Gras, need to be guided by a drummer at all times and are not allowed to sit down or get drunk in public. On Mardi Gras, they meet on the Grand Place of Binche dancing with brooms to sound of drums to chase away the cold and evil spirits then march through town throwing oranges at the public, a symbol of the coming of spring.
Highlights of Belgium’s Carnival Season:
- Carnival of Binche - February 19-21
- Carnival of Malmedy - February 19-21
- Carnival of Charleroi - March 6
- Carnival of Arlon - March 8-11
- Carnival of Tournai - March 17-18
- Carnival of Laetare (Stavelot) - April 6-9
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Katie Papadopoulos
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