bLOGBOOK - Binche

Binche

Binche means Carnival. Everything here deals with Carnival. First of all, the popularity. In every guide and in every web page related to Binche, the first information available is that of one of the most interesting and typical Carnival of the kingdom of Belgium. To be honest, in Belgium there are two different events like that: the first one is that one we talk about, the second one is the Carnival of Aalst. Binche is in the French-speaking part of the country, Aalst in the Flemish-speaking zone. It's not a worthless difference. Binche, thirty thousands inhabitants or an a little further on, as the majority of Belgian cities has a story of passed glory to tell. Under the rule of the Holy Roman empire, in 1545 Charles V gave the medieval castle of Binche to his sister, queen Mary of Hungary, governess of the Netherlands. She made Binche her main residence, and organised great and lavish ceremonies for her brother the emperor. The city became soon a centre of great interest, and the vocation for joy and city celebrations started.
   At that time Binche was already well known: the famous Carnival Popularity belongs to the XIV century. It was in that moment the Gilles appeared for the first time. Gilles are the traditional masks. On Shrove Tuesday nearly one thousands people march though the city dressed with a linen suit with red, yellow and black heraldic designs (red, yellow and black are the colours of the Belgian flag), trimmed with large white lace cuffs and collars. The suit is stuffed with straw, giving the Gille a hunched back. They also wear wooden clogs and have bells attached to their belts. The costume is not worn: is put up to the people like it was an armour. The Gilles swear a papier-mâché mask of particular design. All the 1.000 people parading have the same face: green yeas, glasses, and red moustache and sideburns. The people go around from 4 o' clock in the morning until late hours, bringing traditional dances, songs and happiness for all those who join them. In 2003 the Carnival of Binche was proclaimed intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO, entering the Carnival into the myth.

People at Binche in Carnival

  Nowadays is difficult to imagine Binche out of the Carnival framework, even because the city has not many other to can offer. Despite the position - one hour from Brussels by train (forty minutes by car) and less than twenty kilometers far from the French border - Binche during the rest of the year is a normal centre of Belgian province. A very quite place where to go to have relax, far from the noise of the city. The city park is one of the calmest area ever, and in sunny days it's possible to experience wonderful walks or nice pic-nic, drinking one of the beer made by "La Binchoise", the local brewery. In case, before leaving, have a look at the international museum of Carnival and masks, you are interested to know more on the Carnival. In it collection from all over the world show how Carnival is celebrated in the different countries of the globe. An important area is reserved for the that of Binche, of course.


The other destinations  visited

Amsterdam / Antwerpen / Berlin / Braine l'Alleud / Brugge / Budapest / De Haan / Den Haag / Durbuy / Gent / Halle / Knokke / Leuven / Liège / Mechelen / Mons / Namur / New York city / Oostende / Santiago de Compostela / Strasbourg / Tournai / Vilvoorde / Waterloo