Page 358 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

356  SOUTHERN NE THERLANDS

Carnival

Every year in February, in the week before Ash Wednesday,
carnival breaks out in the towns south of the great rivers.
While life goes on as usual in the north of the country,
people in the south celebrate this old tradition, which is
also honoured in other parts of the Catholic world. A
festive mood abounds everywhere, with the best-known
celebrations being held in Den Bosch, Bergen op Zoom
and Maastricht. For days on end, there is drinking, singing
and dancing all over Brabant and Limburg. Carnavalsstokken (carnival
rods) are brightly decorated.
They are carried by the Prince of
Music plays an the Carnival when he passes
important role at through the streets on his float.
carnival time. Every year,
the associations choose
the official carnival
anthem that will be
played over and over
again. The Zaate
Herremienekes of
Maastricht (pictured left)
are among the better-
known bands. Dozens
of its members
march through the
streets blaring out
enthusiastically; what
their music may lack in
elegance is made up
for by their verve. On
Shrove Tuesday they
compete in the
Herremienekes
competition.

Carnival – Putting Your Worries Aside
The carnival season officially starts on
11 November – the eleventh of the eleventh –
or “day of fools”, when the Council of Eleven
names the Prince of the Carnival. From then on,
the municipalities are busy with preparations,
and on the Sunday (in many places now on the
Friday) before Ash Wednesday, the festivities
begin. Wild celebrations are held throughout
North Brabant and Limburg, and most public
institutions are closed. Long processions with
floats parade through the towns. People dress
up festively: the more colourful and exuberant
the costume, the better. “Dansmarietjes”
(dancing girls) accompany the floats in their
colourful costumes, and the mood everywhere
is upbeat. All the merriment comes to an end
Although in high spirits, his question is profound (the sign on after Shrove Tuesday, the climax of the carnival.
the pram reads, “Where are we going?”)

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