The Tournai carnival had not chased away winter in the streets of the city center since its 2019 edition. Like a snub to the health crisis, this great event of popular jubilation took its revenge, once once more activating the cogs of the Mechanics of Time (Editor’s note: in reference to the theme of the 2020 carnival which had to be cancelled).
The folklore parade kept all its promises this Saturday followingnoon by attracting the large crowd. At a time when the various actors in the procession, who had set off from the streets of Les Maux, Saint-Piat and Royale, found themselves near the Naïade, it was very difficult to make your way among the thousands of spectators. .
As for the atmosphere, the public was served with around twenty floats, lively music and members of over-excited brotherhoods. As tradition dictates, the freshly revamped Naïade was entitled to a tribute, paid by the Devils and their bandas, just like at Pichou Saint-Piat a little later.
Other highlights further enhanced the day, such as the throwing of candy at Place Paul-Émile Janson and of Pichous (small buns) exceptionally from the balcony of the former Le Carillon restaurant (Editor’s note: the belfry is still in works).
If you were unable to attend these meetings, it is still possible to catch up by attending, from 7 p.m., the cremation of the Carnival King on Place Reine Astric, followed by a torchlight funeral march towards ‘Scheldt. And for those who still have energy, the grand ball of the Mécaniques du Temps, under the marquee of the Grand-Place, will see several DJs turn the decks to make the public dance from 10 p.m.
Sunday, between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., still under the marquee, the Bal à fond will be in full swing and delight young carnival-goers with a musical show, a party and even a snack.
