Carnaval de Binche - Belgium's enchanting ancient carnival

People participate in the Carnaval de Binche festival in Binche, Belgium, March 4, 2025. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

Every year, the small town of Binche, south of the Belgian capital Brussels, becomes the center of attention with Carnaval de Binche, one of Europe's oldest and most unique carnivals.

Recognized by the United NationsEducational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2003, this festival not only attracts tourists from all over the world but is also the pride of local people.

According to a VNA reporter in Belgium, the festive atmosphere began to spread from early January when thousands of Binche residents were busy preparing for this important event.

The meticulously tailored costumes and elaborately rehearsed traditional dances all create an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.

People participate in the Carnaval de Binche festival in Binche, Belgium, March 4, 2025. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

The festival officially takes place over three days before Ash Wednesday, with each day having a distinct color. This year, the festival lasts from March 2 to March 4.

Dimanche Gras (Fat Sunday) kicks off with a vibrant carnival, especially the appearance of “Mam’selles” – men dressed as women in extravagant costumes and humorous styles. This is not only an opportunity to express creativity but also reflects the fun spirit of the local community.

Families, friends and visitors join in the festive atmosphere, enjoying joyful moments filled with laughter.

Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) is the climax of the festival, marking the arrival of the legendary Gilles. Their costumes are an important part of the unique identity of the Binche festival.

Dressed in red, yellow and black, with ostrich feather headdresses, wax masks and wooden clogs, the Gilles parade through the city, carrying baskets of oranges, which are thrown into the crowd in an elaborate ritual, a show of respect for tradition and the belief that the oranges bring good luck.

These oranges are not only a material gift, but also a symbol of prosperity and joy that the people of Binche want to share with all those who participate in the festival.

It is a highly social ritual, evoking connections between the community and visitors, while preserving the long-standing cultural values of this land.

Music is an integral part of the festival. Traditional melodies are played on violas, drums, brass and clarinets, creating a vibrant and captivating musical space.

Traditional dances, especially the Gille dance, are performed by both locals and tourists. Each dance step seems to blend with the rhythm of the music, creating a special atmosphere that makes people unable to help but dance along.

Charly Coppin, a local resident, happily shared that the Binche carnival is an indispensable event for the people here.

Since he was a child, he has always participated in every festival, and for nearly 40 years now, he still attends Carnaval de Binche with great excitement and pride.

Although not a resident of Binche, Patricia Hennebert said she always attends the festival. "Watching the colorful parades, joining in the folk dances and receiving oranges - a symbol of good luck - are my favorite things," she said.

Téotim Vaneberg-Dresse, 9, dressed in a fun costume, also expressed his excitement at being able to join his parents in the festival. With eyes shining with joy, he shared: "What I like most is catching the oranges that the parade throws to the people."

This year's festival took place in warm and sunny weather, bringing excitement to everyone, said Larissa Davoine, Deputy Mayor of Binche. "We always prepare carefully so that visitors and participants can live in the best festival atmosphere," she stressed.

This year, more than 20 tons of blood oranges - a regional specialty - were used to bring joy and luck that Binche wants to give to everyone in the new year.

Carnaval de Binche is not just a carnival, but also a symbol of pride and community cohesion for the people of Binche. They prepare together, participate together and enjoy happy and memorable moments together.

This is also an opportunity for them to preserve and promote their traditional cultural values, thereby creating a culturally rich space where everyone can come together and experience the uniqueness of this festival.

The Binche Carnival, with its long history and unique characteristics, remains one of Belgium's biggest cultural events.

This year, the festival attracted more than 150,000 visitors and locals, continuing to affirm the strong and sustainable vitality of an intangible cultural heritage, the pride of the people of Binche and the whole of Belgium./.

The facade of the famous Saints Michel et Gudule church in the center of Brussels has been suddenly "magically" transformed into a living "Garden of Eden", with winged creatures amidst a beautiful natural setting.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/carnaval-de-binche-le-hoi-hoa-trang-co-xua-day-me-hoac-cua-bi-post1016927.vnp