Traditionally
accompanied by great fires, it usually lit around June 24, close to the
symbolic date of the summer solstice in
the northern hemisphere. The fire was said to
represent the sun, heat and light. Celebration
is for the return of fertility because the
light and warmth believed to bring good fortune to harvest.
In Mons, until 1822 it was celebrated by lighting fires in every
neighbourhood. There’s no complete historical research has been done, only a few articles
were written about it. In the
morning of the feast, children went from house to house demanding wood for the
fire. The fire was lit and accompanied
by a rooster cage and each
fireplaces are fueled by wood harvested by children. During the celebration, young men and women danced and sang around
the bonfires. There’s also a singing
contest with a live rooster as the prize. The
street where the festival was celebrated decorated with garlands.
The
formula has changed since 1990. And from 2009 two days devoted to this event.
Beside
the living tradition that is rooted, the event becomes a festival of cultures
and ideas.
On
Saturday afternoon the celebration begins.
Along
Grand Place and the shopping street enlivened by street musicians, while a
group of people dance joyfully.
Place
Nervienne filled with activities.
Kids can choose to play twister or ride a pony or even learn how to do magic tricks and acrobatic moves.
Their faces painted with smile and colors.
Kids can choose to play twister or ride a pony or even learn how to do magic tricks and acrobatic moves.
Their faces painted with smile and colors.
Food
and drink stalls around the adjoining casemates (former
military depots)
ready to serve everyone.
A ceremony show takes place at the Grand Place involving
hundreds of extras and musicians.
More music and dancing.
Alphorns buzzing from the town hall’s balcony and
shadow of some dancers seen on the green backlight windows. A local singer lifted to the air using a hydraulic stage. It was a
When
it gets darker, firing
transhumance followed by a grand torchlight procession led by drummers toured
the city, from the Grand Place to Place Nervienne. This is the largest torchlight procession in
Belgium!
Thousands of people bring their own torches and
bells as symbols of transhumance.
And yes.. I saw a caged rooster that carried
along the route.
At
11 pm, the fire ignition takes place at Place Nervienne.
The firing of a bonfire is such a unique
sensation with the crowds encircle the fire and the final music bands took the
stage until the fire goes out.
It’s
such a wonderful experience watching the lights of joy.
People
laugh and dance around the bonfire.
It
feels so warm.
Long
live the summer!