Since then, the carnival has gone through several evolutions and has drawn bigger crowds. Watch imprudent girls risk being temporarily imprisoned, shaken and pushed in the dreaded ‘maiden’s cage’. ending the carnival. At night, the festival showcases one of the biggest firework shows in the region. The Arlon Carnival is a festival with historic roots that was revived in 1978. In Malmedy, when the pierrots‘ stash runs out, they fall onto the ground and children drag them back to their stocked cart singing: “Pove Pièrot qui n’a pus dès djèyes!” (Poor Pièrot has no more nuts!). One hundred onions contain winning lottery numbers with the main prize being a golden onion. There are a few theories regarding the origin if Gilles' unusual appearance. Then on spectacular illustration of this theme in the life of man. The carnival ends with the burning of an effigy (9pm) in the Grote Markt-Vredeplein, among much whistling and shouting for another night of feasting, before the mood turns sombre in preparation for Lent the next day. Wearing identical wax masks, wooden clogs and straw-stuffed, medieval black, red and yellow costumes, the performers gather at the town’s Grand Palace to perform a dance with brooms and ‘sweep evil spirits away’. The next day, known as Dimanche Gras, is famous for its large parade and a dance by the principal characters of Cwarmê, the Haguètes. © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Tuesday kicks off with a costumed football game between the Plakkers (plasterers) and Vissers (fishermen), a tradition dating to 1928. On Carnival Sunday  the parade of "Mam'selles" The following day, the brotherhoods visit Tournai’s various cafés to provide more entertainment (Le tour des cafés). It is also a great time to indulge in carnival regional specialties, such as the sweet meringue Baisers de Malmedy, Pets-de-nonne (‘nun’s fart’) of fried choux-pastry, or the cream-filled doughnuts Boules de Berlin. You can read more about the top Belgian desserts and top Belgian foods. Its current edition now features a Carnival prince, who is symbolically handed the town keys, and two princesses and their royal court. But the city, which lies 30 kilometers northwest of Brussels, and its Flemish nationalist N-VA mayor are fighting back in the name of freedom of speech and the right to mock everyone. The first time it was organised by the city council was in 1923. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. Le Longès-Brèsses: a clown with a top hat and long arms ruffles spectators’ hair or grabs their hats and puts them on the heads of other people. It is a 3 day Carnival concluding on It was also chosen as the mascot of the carnival when founded in 1954. According to one of them, Queen Mary of Hungary, who ruled the city in the 16th century brought Incas to perform at the carnival, and their flamboyant costumes have become a tradition ever since. The first records of the carnival date back to 1443 but it has existed in its modern form since 1851 when it was held unofficially. Make time to wander and spot the town’s statues that are also dressed up for carnival. Grand' Place to perform a dance. to InBev), the largest brewery company in the world. Close to the German border, Eupen carnival kicks off the madness on Thursday with an Old Ladies procession; anyone wearing a tie might lose it to one of the ladies as a trophy.