Festivals in Belgium

Why Belgium Festivals are a Must

An easy way to tell if someone is from Belgium is if you say the word ‘Doudou’ to them and they respond with enthusiasm.

So what is the Doudou? Well, it is an 8 day festival that takes place in Mons, Belgium annually. I was lucky enough to attend it in 2010 when I was living in Mons. The Doudou dates way back to the Middle Ages, when in 1349 Mons was hit by the plague, and locals decided to organize a procession with a shrine. After this procession, the plague disappeared and therefore ever since a procession has taken place on the same day in Mons. In addition to the procession, there is also yearly fixtures such as the reenactment of the fight between Saint George and a Dragon, and military bands from all over the world playing, and filling the streets with music, Belgium fries, and Belgium beer.

The Belgium people that I knew had been telling me about the Doudou and explaining it to me ever since I had arrived in Belgium. A host mother of a friend explained to me that she thinks the Doudou is a spiritual awakening, and that I would find myself and become reborn during the Doudou. She was a bit of a DouDou fanatic, with Doudou decorations all over her house. Some of my Belgium classmates told me that I was be drinking for an entire week straight at the Doudou.

So how did I find the Doudou? Well it was certainly one of my best weeks in Belgium. I loved how alive the town became, and how involved everyone that I knew was in the Doudou. I would best describe it as organized chaos. People were coming from all over the country, and from out of country, everyday for this festival. The streets downtown turned into pedestrian only zones, and were absolutely packed every day from morning until night. Everywhere I went, I bumped into people whom I already knew and also met new people. I saw concerts, watched the procession, stared in wonder during the reenactment of Saint George vs. the Dragon, bought little dragon souvenirs, went out on the McDonalds balcony with the employees there to watch the performances one night, and watched Dad’s dance on tables during the night time.

So, did I find myself? Was I reborn? I’m not sure…but either way I did make some good, hilarious memories.

I highly recommend visiting the Doudou if you have the chance, or any other of the amazing festivals in Belgium.

More information about festivals in Belgium:  http://www.visitbelgium.com/?page=festivals