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| Giants of Ath Festival (De Ducasse) 2013 |
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When:
Aug 23, 2013
- Aug 25, 2013
Where: Ath, Belgium
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Every year, on the fourth weekend of August, Giants of Ath festival (De Ducasse) is held in the ancient center of Ath (located south west to Brussels). These traditional fiestas, originated in the Middle Ages, turn the city from a quite sleepy city to a lively and exited. The preparations for the folklore fiesta, building giant dolls, last for several months.
The motive of the festival is the struggle between David and Goliath. On Saturday, after the wedding ceremony of Goliath, the battle between the giant and the shepherd youngster takes place. After the vespers of Saturday, it is tradition to eat a cake named Masteilles which is unique to the city.
On Sunday, the festival reaches its climax with a parade of giant dolls, floats, dance groups and bands.
The fiesta sweeps away the locals with lots of tourists to a traditional unique experience.
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IMPORTANT:
Please note that the details of the event are subject to change.
We strongly recommended that you check with the organizers
before making any travel arrangements.
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Event related information:
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Belgium -
background and overview:
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
[Courtesy of The World Factbook]
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Belgium details
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands. |
Languages:
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French). |
Climate:
Temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy. |
Capital:
Brussels |
Time Zone:
UTC+1 - (Summer UTC+2 ) |
Currency (code):
Euro (EUR) |
Call Code:
+32 |
Electric Power:
230V 50Hz |
Tourist office:
Office de Promotion du Tourisme de Wallonie et de Bruxelles, ASBL, rue Saint-Bernard 30, 1060 Bruxelles, Belgique |
Tourist website:
Click Here |
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