CARNAVAL !! (partie 1)

This year, I had the pleasure of experiencing the magic of Carnaval. Given my location in the south-east of Belgium I am also fortunate enough to have many big events within a short distance (insert Belgium scale) The festivities began in Eupen on Thursday with the Day of Women. This is a day when all of the women are free to do whatever their hearts desire. Amongst these activites is lots of drinking and cutting the ties of all men that they see. The idea of the day is to turn over the roles and is a tradition that originated in Germany. This carnaval has been celebrated since 1696, and is the oldest carnaval in Belgium. In this town, the traditions surrounding this day are not taken lightly.

At the start of the day the women meet the mayor of the town who hands over the keys of the town hall therein by sacrificing complete control. They women then leave their homes or their job and parade in the streets in various costumes. A major element of this costume are the sisccors, which are worm around their necks in order to cut the ties of every man they see. They then exhibit it as a trophy, because the tie is a phallic symbol, that represents the virility of men.

In the beginning carnaval was celebrated at teh end of winter to welcome in the springtime and the emergence of nature. Then when teh Catholic church took a reintigrated role in the lives of the populous, the celebration was turned to put them in a more favorable light. To this day, carnaval is celebrated in line with the Catholic calendar and falls just before lent. However, just because these festivities are in line with the church, does not eliminate the reversal of roles and the complete chaos of carnaval. All that is normally forbidden is permitted during this period of time, through all of the parades and the costumes and tradition. 

This was such a wonderful start to the Caranaval celebrations !!  In addition we have an entire week off of school to celebrate in our own way. Catholic school does have it's benefits !