Europe - Ghent Festival
If magnanimity, eloquence and grandeur are what you idealize in your perfect festival, then Ghent festival is the place for you to be this summer. With almost 2 million people attending the festival in 2008 in Ghent, Belgium, the festival became the largest open-air cultural festival in Europe by distance. The Ghent festival is composed primarily of three festivals- the International Street Theatre Festival, The International Puppet Buskers Festival and the Blue Note Festival, which is also affectionately called the jazz festival.
The Ghent festival evolved in the 19th century, when the ‘fathers’ of Ghent decided to organize the Sunday feasts by the peasants into a more civilized festivity in the form of the Ghent festival. The feasts that the peasants indulged in were nothing more than drunken orgies and often resulted in mass absenteeism on the part of the peasants on Monday mornings due to heavy liquor consumption on the weekends. This resulted the clergy of the town to ponder upon a solution to this menace, and they came up with the idea of festivities for the common-folk of the town, which later evolved into a full-fledged festival known as the Ghent Festival, which was organized by the governments and the richer strata of the society for the masses to enjoy.
For decades, the festival had carried on like this, and in its checkered history of more than 165 years, the Ghent festival has witnessed many ups and downs. With the rich folks occupying the paved areas and others celebrating in the dusty and dirty streets, the Ghent Festival was being stereotyped as being ‘pathetically middle-class’ by the late 1950s. It was with the entrance of Walter De Buck, who, along with his band of musicians and friends engaged everyone belonging to different strata of the society, including the priests, the commons and the classes of the society. He had brought the charm back to the Ghent festival and was a hit of his age. Since then, people from all over the Europe have been frequenting the Ghent Festival, which, in its modern form takes place in and around the city center and is the most famous for its Jazz festival, awesome food and electrifying environment.
Posted under Europe
This post was written by admin on October 2008
I’ve attended the Ghent festival once. I can only say that it is surely not a “pathetically middle-class festival”. Haven’t seen other Belgium festivals, but I did like this one.
@Alexander
2 million people attending the festival in 2008 in Ghent - that means it is not at all a “pathetically middle-class festival” for sure. Hope somebody through some light on some places which is closer to the Ghent festival area.
I think the Belgian tourism authorities are promoting this event very well. I’d suggest you to visit Belgian tourism website (visitbelgium.com) for getting more information on this Ghent festival package.
Yes,I was there for the 2008 festival during July. Me and my son stayed there for a week. It was real fun at Belgium .
Ghent festival is a 10 day cultural event. If you want to enjoy it to the full, then you have to be there for 10 days. Festival really rocks! with out doubt, it is worth visiting.
Hey, I am student who is doing research on the subject “Festivals of Europe”. I’d definitely make it to next years Ghent festival.
Nice to see this article on the Ghent Festival. Being a local man i do love this event and for that matter all Belgium festivals. Festivals plays a major role in Belgium’s cultural life. Welcome to Ghent, Welcome to Belgium.
I am from Asia and I have seen several cultural festivals here ( in India, China and so many other countries ) Never been to any european festivities yet. well,Ghent is a nice place to start..
In fact I am touring Europe now and will reach the Christmas Markets in Germany by the 23rd. Not visiting Belgium though to see the festivals there… O .Ghent festival comes in July, right ?
Nice information. Is the Ghent festival mentioned here is anyway connected with the Ghent Film festival? One of my friends was talking about it.
Ghent festival is the place to be in if your love Fireworks, feasts, parades, music, dance, & puppetry. Me and my friends were there last year and will be there in 2009 too. Don’t miss it.
Cultural festivals, wherever it may be - will be a fantastic event not to be missed. I always try to attend festivals , especially European festivals.
after a long wait I attended the festival last year and enjoyed it very much the food was delicious. It is a once in a lifetime experience. I am lucky this festival coincided with my trip to Europe.
@Andrew Bimbo @Alexander Ghent Festival was being stereotyped as being ‘pathetically middle-class’ by the late 1950s. Guys it was in 1950s now this festival is according to me the best to attend.
We were on our honeymoon and enjoyed it very much but sadly couldn’t stay for 10 days. My wife and I are going to attend it next year
The last day (always a Monday) is known as De dag van de lege portemonnees (The day of the empty wallets) alluding to the fact that many people have spent their last penny at the festival…My son wanted everything he saw..I attended the festival in 2004; now I’m going to attend it in 2010.
Nice post sir, it’s good to see that our festival is getting more and more recognition. I’m proud of this festival, It’s kinda making us famous. Cheers!!!
Me and My daughter attended it last year, I really liked comedy festival at JOC Rabot but my daughter didn’t understand a thing cause it hosts only a few English-speaking shows.
I’m visiting Europe next year so was researching everything about Europe and thanks to the big G - Google I got to your site. This festival seems promising and is defiantly in my Must Visit list.
well, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch