The Binche Carnival takes place on the three days before Shrove Tuesday — the same time as Mardi Gras celebrations in other countries. But Binche has its own very special tradition that you will not find anywhere else: the Gilles.
Gilles are always men or boys from Binche itself — it is a great honour to be chosen. On Shrove Tuesday morning, they gather at their homes where friends and family help them dress in their elaborate costumes. The suits are padded to make the Gilles look round and jolly, covered in lions and stars in red, yellow, and black — the colours of Belgium.
As they walk through the streets, Gilles beat small drums called tambourines. In the afternoon, they put on their famous hats, which can be more than a metre tall and hold up to 300 ostrich feathers each. They throw blood oranges into the crowd as good-luck gifts — catching one is considered especially lucky.
UNESCO has recognised the Binche Carnival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which means it is considered an important part of world culture. Every year, visitors come from dozens of countries to watch the Gilles parade through the medieval streets of Binche.