Fêtes de Wallonie à Namur
Tonight I wandered out into the amazing spectacle that is the Fêtes de Wallonie à Namur (warning again, cheesy music — but it’s awesome cheesy music, so you should listen!). I could instantly see why my boss had warned me about it, I was out there at about 7.30 and already people were really drunk, staggering about, peeing against any wall they could find, and generally being fairly loutish.
It seems that this place is invaded by students from all over Belgium — each group wearing some sort of identifying jumper. They all get drunk, buy silly glowing glasses and funny hats (and megaphones that play various soccer calls), then stumble about and find one of the many concert stages to dance drunkenly about.
Contributing to the drunkenness were the colourful flavoured shots of a type of liquor that I am not certain the name of, but it tastes quite nice (it’s probably best likened to a schnapps).
You could buy them individually or “a metre” (18 shots) for 15 euros.
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There were lots of people, as earlier established, and lots of concerts. I came upon this jazz band playing in the Place d’Armes which had an awesome backdrop of the 17th C belfry which was part of the defences of the city (to the left, through the gate, the other building … I’m not actually sure what it is!).
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After pushing my way back through crowds, eating a tartiflette (finally, and it was delicious!), seeing the champignons and escargots and churros for sale, and stopping to listen to a song from a local metal band, I headed back home. The band wasn’t hugely great (the main singer sounded like he was barking more than singing, but the guitarists were good and they looked like they were enjoying themselves) but it was fun.
Anyway, all in all an interesting night. The best bit I think was listening to an old man band playing Beatles covers atrociously. The music was fine, but the singing was awesomely hilarious. A wonderful Frenglish version of “Imagine” almost had me in stitches with the liberty taken in the wording (“and the worrrrld, will one a one”). Good show old men, you made me :D
I’m off to Finland Sunday as previously mentioned, which means I will miss out on the point of this festival, which is the stilt-jousting. Stilt-jousting!
If you, like me, are fascinated by the art of stilt-jousting, you can read more about it at the Echasseurs website (in English too!).
belgium | liedra | September 18, 2009
belgium, concerts, festival, food, markets, music, namur, stilt-jousting
Was the metal guy barking in French or English? (I know a lot of Euro metal bands still “sing” in English).. I find it hard enough to understand metal lyrics in English, let alone a foreign language :) Looks like a very eclectic festival!
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liedra Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I honestly have no idea. I couldn’t understand a word he was barking :/
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