lyndash

I will be in Brussels for 3 days, leaving on wednesday the 25th. That is Ash Wednesday I now realize and I wonder if they have 'fasching'[not sure of the spelling] parites or parades in Belguim like they do in Germany. anyone care to share?

Thanks, lynda

quokka

Binche seems to be the No. 1 traditional place, Stavelot is another.
I have not been to Belgium for carnival so far, I only had the chance to see the White Monks (Blancs Moussis) of Stavelot at an international festival in Stuttgart a week ago.

Any Belgians around who can tell not only lynda but also a fan of the Alemannic Fastnacht in Southwest Germany more about the traditions in Belgium?

Lawchick

Carnival is not a big thing in Brussels...however it appears there are some happenings in the rest of the country

Here is are two links to whats going on in Belgium

(I've been in Brussels for over 7 years and never registered a blip over Carnival - I go to Cologne for the fun.)

http://www.opt.be/contenus/the_carnivals/en/1760.html

http://www.visitbelgium.com/mediaroo...ofCarnival.htm

Tulips

Carnival is not really big in Belgium.

But it's huge in Maastricht, if you care to pop over the border. It's not far by train from Brussels.

hetismij

I was going to suggest Maastricht too.
Here is a website which tells you when things are happening there - Sunday is the best day as that is when it officially begins in Maastricht, but any of the days is good fun.

http://tinyurl.com/d95ohx

lyndash

Thanks for the info y'all. I don't really need the carnival at the end of our time in A'dam and Bruges and Belguim but wanted to be prepared.

lynda

Taaner

Correction: in some cities "carnaval" IS a big issue, but is not always held on Fat Tuesday (or the WE before).
Since that week is school holiday, you find a lot of small activities for the children. In some areas it is traditional to eat panncakes on Fat Tuesday...

Brugge has not a big tradition with carnaval. The "Brugse Karnaval Raad" choose Prins Bruno I last october. There is a parade on march the 7th, but I think this is not so special.

Some cities around with more events:
- Aalst (near Brussels) is celebrating some days, with the parade on sunday and ending on Fat Tuesday. This carnaval is candidate to be placed on the list of UNESCO world heritage
- Blankenberge (at the coast, near Brugge): big parade on Sunday before Fat Tuesday
- as mentioned before, Binche (in the south of the country) is also very famous. The "Gilles de Binches" give oranges to every visitor. I think this is already on the Unesco World Heritage list...

kontgat

for carnaval go to Limburg or Brabant in Nederland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEsM1nTJXmY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3ZR1IvtUAQ