2023-08-15 18:56:00
It was under the sun that the Marchois and other visitors strolled this Tuesday, August 15 through the streets of the city center, immersing themselves in times, to relive the atmosphere of the 1900s. obviously, the 1900 Market, also more familiarly called by some the “Bird Market”.
“The event was created 55 years ago through a challenge launched on the airwaves of RTBF by the host Jean-Claude Menessier “, explains Quentin Mouligneau, the president of the non-profit association “Le XV” which organizes the 1900 Market. The challenge? To create in five days a bird market in the style of the 1900s, with a minimum of one hundred merchants. If the market exists today, it is because this challenge has been met brilliantly. A little more than half a century later, the event of August 15 has become an unmissable event for the Marchois (and it is recognized living intangible cultural heritage of Wallonia-Brussels).
This year, the 1900 Market brought together around thirty associations, around fifteen bird breeders and around 100 stands of exhibitors and craftsmen. Without forgetting that it offered various activities for all age groups and, of course, in the 1900 theme. The activities offered: The nomadic tree, a puppet show for children “Ferdinand celebrates his birthday”, games in wood, a circus workshop, a make-up workshop or even musical entertainment and many more…
Success for novelty
On the occasion of the 55th anniversary, visitors were able to walk for the first time in the Jadot and Carmes gardens and they might also play the game wearing a period costume, which allowed them to access entry for free. A successful novelty.
The 1900 Market brings together more than 10,000 visitors each year and it once more attracted a lot of people this year “The weather is with us. Gugusse, a fantastic character from August 15, sent us good weather”concludes, all smiles, Quentin Mouligneau.
“The Mautchis Mi Tchis Qu’ti”, essential for 40 years
In addition to the bird market, visitors also come for the satirical and humorous puppet show “Les Mautchis Mi Tchis Qu’ti”.
“The plot of this year is a marriage that will bring a lot of conflict to the city of Marche and the characters will have to unravel this conflict “, says one of the members of the play.
Created in 1982 by a group of friends, the characters are inspired by well-known personalities from Marchois public life. And over time, the group of friends has evolved, children and other people participate in the construction of unique pieces and which also evolve according to trends and Marchoises anecdotes.
“The puppet makes it possible to say things as one might not say them so that the message gets through better, he adds. The trademark of the Mauchis is the satirical side, the tongue-in-cheek, a little provocative that we might not have without the puppets.”
A show that the Marchois love to see, while hoping to find well-known characters from the region. And it is a successful bet.
Matoufé, a unique specialty
On August 15 in Marche-en-Famenne, we eat an omelet called matoufé. This other Marchoise particularity is a preparation made from eggs, bacon, flour, milk, water, salt and pepper. And, this omelette is placed on a slice of gray bread. But how did this simple, inexpensive and succulent dish become a must for the people of March?
It was in 1961 that the royal brotherhood of Matoufé was created in Marche-en-Famenne. At the time, 17 people decided to found a gastronomic brotherhood in order to ensure the expansion of trade and Marche folklore. Matoufé is actually a traditional Walloon dish, often prepared in the Ardennes and Famenne regions since the 16th century. “Farmers at the time translated this ‘Suppress hunger’ to cut off hunger”, explains Karine Bourguignon, the secretary of the Marchoise brotherhood of Matoufé. The matoufé is not only eaten on August 15th, it is a dish that brings everyone together during the events, whether it is at chime parties or family celebrations. The matoufé has its symbol of conviviality. The link with the 1900 Market? The royal Marchoise brotherhood of Matoufé has been present since the first bird market, 55 years ago, and, over the years, it has made it possible for visitors to discover the gustatory pleasures of the dish… So there was plenty to enjoy , last Tuesday.
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