The Carnival of Binche (French: Carnaval de Binche) is an annual festival held in Binche, Hainaut, Belgium, during the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday.
The carnival's history dates back to approximately the 14th century, and it is today one of the best known of several that take place simultaneously in Wallonia, Belgium. Performers known as Gilles wear elaborate costumes in the national colours of red, black and yellow. During the parade, they throw oranges at the crowd.
Since 2003, the event is recognised as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and it is also listed as intangible heritage of the French Community of Belgium.
The town of BincheThe first written records of the Carnival of Binche date back to 1394, the festivities then corresponding to the beginning of Lent (the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter).[1]
Wearing a mask was forbidden under the Napoleonic regime, so the Gilles, some of the carnival's most important participants today, appeared for the first time in texts in 1795 as masked characters revolting.[2]
In 2003, the Carnival of Binche was recognised as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO,[3] and in 2004, as intangible heritage of the French Community of Belgium.[4]
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