Calendar SABENA 1974 (42 cm x 30 cm ) Le Folklore en Belgique - "The rich folklore in a country as industrialized as Belgium"

The survival of a rich folklore in a country as industrialized as Belgium is due not only to a strong belief in ancient traditions but above all to the spirit of the people in towns and villages alike, who are reluctant to surrender their local character. Thus, at the first hint of spring in our country we witness the sudden arrival of those colourful beings, who, oblivious to the late winter's cold, bring so many of our towns to life. These inheritors of our ancient ceremonies are dressed in hundreds of masks and these long awaited, but all too fleeting festivals present a vivid manifestation of joy. Somewhat disparagingly called carnivals, they reflect the true spirit of new life. Malmedy, Eupen, La Calamine, Binche with its 500 Gilles, Aalst, Ostend, Maaseik, Fosses-la-Ville and Stavelot, are only a few of the many towns which celebrate Belgian folklore festivals in such a vivid way. After the carnivals have been held to celebrate the coming of spring it is then the turn of the pageants where legend and history meet: the military marches of the Sambre-Meuse area bringing the splendour of the imperial armies to life at Gerpinnes, Acoz and Ham-sur-Heure. At Mons, another warrior, St.-George, each year bravely defeats the wicked Dragon which is symbolized by the famous - Doudou ». Other legendary characters are the Giants who reign by right each year over the festivities at Brussels, Lier, Ath and Geraardsbergen. Delightful puppet shows are held in Brussels, Antwerp and Liege and in their individual way portray the national character which is cynical but kind. We must not conclude this short resume of Belgian folklore without mentioning the important religious festivals which take place in Belgium. Towns and villages are busy all year round with the preparation and then the celebrations of these religious pageants. There is the Procession of the Penitents at Rutten, the Pageant of the Holy Blood in Bruges during May and the Procession of the Penitents at Veurne in July; we must not forget the other remarkable celebrations such as the Festival of the Cats at leper, the "Free Republic" festivities at Outremeuse in Liege and the sumptuous procession of the" Ommegang" in Brussels. We present this small selection of our folklore festivals to you on the eve of our "Folklore Year" as a reminder that Belgium has succeeded in preserving her ancient traditions, which in every respect are worthy of this old and magnificent Europe of which we are all the inheritors.

La survie d'un riche folklore dans un pays aussi industrialisé que la Belgique est due non seulement à une forte croyance dans les traditions anciennes, mais surtout à l'esprit des habitants des villes et des villages, qui hésitent à abandonner leur caractère local. Ainsi, dès les premiers signes du printemps dans notre pays, nous assistons à l'arrivée soudaine de ces êtres colorés qui, inconscients du froid de la fin de l'hiver, donnent vie à tant de nos villes.

Printed In Belgium For Sabena Belgian World Airlines, The Belgian National Tourist Office And The Belgian Maritime Transport Authority

Colour Offsetfilm De Buck & Paulich, 2 Black Offsetfilm And Printing De Rijcker

Graphic Design Luc Vanmalderen

Photos Photo-Archives Sabena, Inbel And B N T 0

Photographers And Studios Acta, Agfa-Gevaert. Buyle, De Groote. Esterhazy, Philippe, 30 M 101 476

Photo News Service, Ramlot. Robelus, Robijns, Storck