Welcome in Godewaersvelde
Originaly done to party the coming back of the Cod's fishermans of Dunkerque, the carnival has become an institution in our villages. For these days, the Giants parade in the streets. It remains us that Flanders was once spanish.
The carnival's "band" in Godewaersvelde
In Godewaersvelde, it takes place in the first week-end of February. Following the fifes' music, people take part in the band. According to the tradition, conventions disapears for this party, that's why men are dressed as "Ma tante" (My aunt) wearing women's clothes. Theses colourfull meeting looks like fighting against the sky that is often grey at this time of the year.
Henri the customs officer and his dog
Henri, Tom and their carrier
Everytown in Flanders has his own giant. You can find this tradition in Spain as well. This carried giants are now part of the UNESCO world heritage.
The Godewaersvelde's one reminds that there were many customs officers in the village. He's going with a dog called "Dick" when he's acting as a customs dog or "Tom" when acting as a smuggler's one . When they are not travelling, you can see them in the border's life museum.
Travail scolaire réalisé par Nicolas Dequéant , Guide Interprète National, Université du Littoral Côte D'Opale 2008-2009.