Carnaval is big in Belgium. From a young age kids are being groomed to celebrate the coming of spring. The ‘Gilles’ of Binche are worldfamous and protected Unesco Worldheritage. Here the kids are dressed as harlequins and remind us of the famous Picasso painting.
Every city, town or village in Belgium has their own Carnaval imbedded in the history.
Photos by Marleen Daniels
The Gilles of Binche.
During the Shrove Tuesday’s afternoon procession in the city of Binche, the Gille wears his ostrich feathers hat and trows oranges
Carnaval in Binche
Les Blancs Moussis in Stavelot
Le Bal du Rat Mort in Ostend started up by the Belgian painter James Ensor.
Les Blancs Moussis in Stavelot
Street Carnaval in Ostend
Rosenmontag in Eupen
Street Carnaval in Ostend
Carnaval in Malmedy
The Angel
Cwarmê in Malmedy
Cwarmê in Malmedy
Prince Carnaval in Ostend
Bal du Rat Mort, Ostend
The Gilles out in the streets of Binche trowing oranges
Dressed up at the Bal du Rat Mort
Bal du Rat Mort, Ostend
Bal du Rat Mort, Ostend
Bal du Rat Mort, Ostend
Bal du Rat Mort, Ostend
Rosenmontag in Eupen
Carnaval In Aalst
The ‘Gilles’ of Binche in the early morning
During the Shrove Tuesday’s afternoon procession in the city of Binche, the Gille wears his ostrich feathers hat
During the Shrove Tuesday’s afternoon procession in the city of Binche, the Gille wears his ostrich feathers hat and trows oranges
Young Gille holding an orange, the history of this carnaval is a mockery of the Netherlands under the Spanish rule