Carnival of Binche an event not to be missed

February 22-24, 2009

Belgium's most famous carnival, the carnival in Binche, attracts thousands of visitors annually. This colorful event, now on UNESCO Heritage list, is not to be missed.

On Sunday, the parade of "Mam'selles" and fancy dress groups begins at 10:00 AM. Various processions, heralded by brass instruments, converge at 3:00 PM on the center of town. Monday is devoted to youth groups who form a circle of friendship.

On Shrove Tuesday, every Gille makes his traditional march to the town's Grand' Place to perform a dance.

Mardi Gras is the only day one sees the "Gilles" in their various rites from daybreak to the midnight fireworks ending the carnival.

The "Gille" is a local carnival character whose hay-colored costume decorated with appliqued lions, crowns and stars in the Belgian colors of red, yellow and black is stuffed with hay and belted with heavy, jangling bells.

Most impressive is the white feathered headdress, as much as four feet tall and weighing up to 7 pounds, that completes the costume.

Some 800 men and boys of the town throng Binche's Grand'Place and toss oranges to the spectators. More information can be obtained by email.

Binche is a small town in the Belgian Province of Hainaut about 34 miles south of Brussels. It has a very interesting Carnival and Mask Museum whose 25 rooms offer a spectacular illustration of this theme in the life of man.

Carnival and Mask Museum of Binche, rue Saint Moustier, 10 - B-7130 Binche.  Tel: (3264) 33- 5741 - Fax: (3264) 34-1430.  Entrance Fee: 4 Euro for adults and 2 Euro for children.