Page 41 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

Bel gium and l uxem B ourg TH roug H T H e Y ear  39

Average Monthly Temperature
Temperature Chart
°C °F This chart gives the ave-
30 85 rage maximum and min-
imum tem peratures for
24 75
Belgium and Luxembourg.
18 65 Although generally mild,
winters can sometimes
12 55 be bitter, especially on
higher ground in the
6 45 Ardennes and when
northeasterly winds
-1 30
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec blow across the plains.
“festival of fools” centres on
a parade of knockabout
characters called Bommels.
February
Carnival (Thu–Shrove Tue),
nationwide. The week end
before Lent is marked by
par ades in many cities. Eupen
celebrates the arrival of His
Madness, Prince of Carnival,
and Rosenmontag (Rose Participants at the Sprangprëssessioun, Echternach’s dancing parade
Monday). Masked folk loric
figures called haguètes grab Luxembourg Through the Year
onlookers with huge pincers
in Malmedy, while Aalst has Liichtmesdag (2 Feb), dancers spring past the tomb
satirical floats followed by Voil nation wide. In medieval times, of St Willibrord, the founder
Jeannetten (Dirty Jennies) in the poor asked for food on of the abbey here.
male drag. The best-known St Blasius’s day. Today, children National Holiday (23 Jun),
carnival, at Binche, is a sea with lan terns carry on the nationwide. Munici pal func-
of parad ing gilles, or bizar rely trad i tion by begging for treats. tions and parties mark the
costumed jesters (see p194). Carnival (Sun before Shrove birthday of the Grand Duke
Krakelingenstoet (last Sun), Tue), nationwide. Parades of Luxembourg.
Geraardsbergen. A cos tumed take place in many towns. International Festival
par ade is followed by throw ing Diekirch’s has donkeys, the of Music (May–Jun),
krakelingen (ring-shaped town’s mascot, while at Echternach. A notable festival
pastries) into the crowd, Remich, stréimännchen (straw of classical and jazz music,
recalling a 14th-century event. guys) are set alight and cast drawing top names.
into the Moselle. Open-air Festival of Theatre
Public Holidays Buergsonndeg (Sun after and Music (weekends in Jul),
Shrove Tue), nationwide. Wiltz. This offers a varied
New Year’s Day (1 Jan) In an ancient tradition of programme of opera, music
Easter Sunday (variable) buergbrennen (bonfire burn- and dance in an out door
Easter Monday (variable) ing), fires are lit on hilltops theatre (see p302).
Labour Day (1 May) to drive out winter. Schueberfouer (Aug/Sep),
Luxembourg City. This
Éimaischen (Easter Mon),
Ascension Day (variable) Nospelt and Luxembourg City. modern des cen dant of
Whit Sunday (variable) Pottery is a key feature at this a medieval shep herds’
Whit Monday (variable) folk fair. Visitors take back péck- mar ket is known for serving
Luxembourg’s National Day villchen, or bird-shaped traditional food and drink.
(23 Jun) cuckoo-whis tles. Grape and Wine Festival
Belgian National Day Octave (late Apr), Luxembourg (2nd weekend in Sep),
(21 Jul) City. Pilgrims parade to Grevenmacher. Held as thanks-
Assumption Day (15 Aug) the cathedral in honour giving for the grape harvest,
of a statue of Maria
the merrymaking starts with
All Saints’ Day (1 Nov) Consolatrix Afflictorum. the coronation of the Queen
Armistice Day (11 Nov) Sprangprëssessioun (Whit of Grapes and culminates in
Christmas (25 Dec) Tue), Echternach. Ranks of floats offering free wine.

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