All Belgium Binche Carnival of Binche Carnival of Binche The tiny Belgian town's ancient version of Mardi Gras involves eerie wax masks, sticks for warding off evil, and ostrich plume hats. The Carnival of Binche (French: Carnaval de Binche) is an annual festival held in Binche, Hainaut, Belgium, during the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. [1] The carnival's history dates back to approximately the 14th century, [2] and it is today one of the best known of several that take place simultaneously in Wallonia, Belgium. Mardi Gras is a time to indulge in rich foods and drinks before the start of the Lenten season. In Belgium, the holiday is often celebrated with parades, costumes, and music. The French introduced the first version of Mardi Gras in the United States in 1703, but they had been partying since the 13th century. After two days of music and fancy costumes, Binche people are ready for the most important and traditional day of the Carnival: Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. Almost everyone in Binche gets up before 4am to make the characters of the day come alive. Belgium. Belgium's best-known Mardi Gras celebration dates back to the 14th century in the Carnival of Binche, which features the Gilles, a group of about 1,000 men who dress up in linen suits traditionally designed with the colors of the Belgian flag. Brazil All about Mardi Gras in Belgium. In Dunkirk, a drum major leads the parade of costumed revellers. Organized by group, they parade to the rhythm of the music through the city streets, stopping in front of city hall, where a smoked herring toss is performed by the mayor and the city council. Mardi Gras in Binche, Belgium. The three-day Carnival of Binche, near Mons, is one of the best known in Belgium. It takes place around Shrove Tuesday (or Mardi Gras) just before Lent. Performers known as Gilles wear elaborate costumes in the national colours of red, black and yellow. During the parade, they throw oranges at the crowd. [24] Located in the province of Hainaut, Wallonia, Binche comes alive each year on the Sunday (Dimanche Gras), Monday (Lundi Gras) and Tuesday (Mardi Gras) preceding Ash Wednesday. It features one of the oldest parades of the several that take place in Belgium, with the habits preserved through generations. It is on the morning of Mardi Gras, at dawn, that the Gilles dress in their traditional costume and leave their homes with a broom (or ramon) in hand for an early morning aubade followed by a visit to the City Hall. But the procession during which the Gilles wear their famous feathered hat does not begin until 3:00 pm. The town of Binche is situated south of Brussels in Belgium’s Hainaut province. Each year, during the three days preceding Lent, it is host to carnival festivities that mobilize the historic centre and attract throngs of foreign visitors. With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, Binche’s famed celebration ranks as one of Europe’s oldest surviving street carnivals. Since the beginning Photo/Blue Bayou via Facebook. The Blue Bayou is bringing “The Big Easy” to Chicago this Mardi Gras weekend with crawfish, cocktails, and cabaret!. The party kicks off on Saturday, March 1 with a crawfish boil in the afternoon, followed by an official Mardi Gras party and burlesque show in the evening. The holiday is also known as Shrove Tuesday, and it is the last day of the Carnival season. Mardi Gras is a time to let loose and have fun before the start of the Lenten season. There are many different ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in Belgium, and the best way to find out is to ask around or do some research. The carnival takes place each year on the three days preceding the start of Lent, known as Shrove Sunday, Shrove Monday, and Shrove Tuesday (Dimanche Gras, Lundi Gras, and Mardi Gras in French). Read more about Belgium’s UNESCO heritage: 3 UNESCO Sites You Can Visit in Brussels. The festivities in Binche center around the town’s societies. Forget the beads when in Belgium on Mardi Gras. The Walloon town of Binche celebrates the occasion in one of the quirkiest ways imaginable: by trotting out a parade of ‘Gilles.’ The Walloon town of Binche celebrates the occasion in one of the quirkiest ways imaginable: by trotting out a parade of ‘Gilles.’ The carnival reaches its climax on Mardi Gras with the appearance of the legendary figure – Gille. The Gilles were known as musicians of Burgundy France in 1400 – 1460. After an impressive ceremony, hundred of Gilles appear. They wear wooden shoes and black, yellow and red cloths. Dive into Mardi Gras trivia and test your knowledge about the colorful traditions, history, and cultural significance of this lively festival. From the origins of the celebration to fun facts about parades, beads, and costumes, these trivia questions will immerse you in the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras! The Carnival of Binche in Belgium is one of the most famous celebrations in Belgium, usually taking place in February. Due to its originality and long tradition, this festival was designated as a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO in 2003. The Carnival of Binche, in Wallonia’s Hainaut province, in Belgium, is a Mardi Gras festival so steeped in tradition and culture it’s been recognised by UNESCO. It’s 4am and I’m handed my first glass of champagne of the day. Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. Les Gilles de Binche celebrating Mardi Gras in Binche, Belgium. Mark Renders/Stringer/Getty Images 4. Binche, Belgium. Celebrated south of Brussels in Belgium’s Hainaut province from March 2-4, the Carnival of Binche centers on the area’s unique folklore. You may have seen its concluding March of the Gilles, which takes place on Mardi Gras.
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