Strange Happenings In Belgium

Many Belgian towns have traditional festivals that involve reinactments of stories, lots of drinking, dancing, singing and general party-making. This past weekend we went to Ath to observe theirs. They never make any sense to us but they are great fun to see.

The Procession of the Giants in Ath takes place every 4th weekend of August. It dates back to the fifteenth century and presents the Giants of Ath to the public. One of these giants is no other than the renowned Gouyasse, (Goliath), King of the Festival. After having taken his pretty fiancée to the altar of St Julien's Church to get married, he fights the tiny David in the afternoon. After the battle, it is time for the tasting of the traditional "mastelles" tart - also known as "Gouyasse" (macaroon tart). The following day the spectacular traditional cortège will take place. A magnificent parade featuring the giants of the town in the company of floats and a multitude of different bands. Got it?

A girl's marching band.

A couple of characters!

A float of young girls throwing flowers out into the crowd.

One of the participants taking a break with his son.

More marching around.


A magnificent float pulled by four (partially out of control) horses. They seemed a little nervous and on the edge of running through the crowd.

A close up of the boat-float. Some politically incorrect slave being held captive by the sailors. But the slave kept beating up on the sailors. No idea what that was all about.

Here's Saint Christopher carrying Christ on his shoulders. This guy was walking for MILES on stilts through cobblestone streets. He had a group of people walking near him to catch him if he fell. He looked on edge the whole time. This may be the one time he smiled!

These men took turns carrying this giant on their shoulders. They whirl him around very fast. He also looks pretty heavy so I don't expect any one person could carry him for very long. Apparently only people born in the town can participate in the parade.

This cute little girl was at the very start of the parade. She looks lost, poor thing.

Marching bands, marching bands, and more marching bands.

The fire brigade.

This little girl was carried through town on this two headed bird-beast. She's quite young and they kept spinning her around really fast. She looked a little motion sick and I kept wondering if she was about to "vomir" into the crowd! She was sucking a passifier the entire time!