grand celebration of cats. The toddling little moustached detective of very British Agatha Christie’s imagination was plagued with … Just imagine, a place to relax and hang out with cats all day long while sipping coffee, reading a book, etc. These days it is soft plush cats that are tossed to the crowd below, perhaps mocking the awful brutality that is now thankfully left to the past. Ypres is now famous for the WWI battle fought nearby, but in the Middle Ages it was a center of the cloth industry, weaving fine garments from cloth imported from England. A few weekends ago, Joery and I made the one-hour train trip to Ieper (Ypres in French, Wipers in English) to see the triennial Cat Parade (Kattenstoet in Dutch). The car was waiting, but in another parking lot. In the hotel, they welcomed me with a smile and pastries. Back in those days many cultures believed cats to Amid a concert of trumpet music and the carillon of bells, the jester climbed to the top of the belfry tower to throw the toy cats into the crowd below. Back in those days many cultures believed … Unfortunately, this was in September and the event had just taken place … In fact the city has a website dedicated to the Kattenstoet which can be found here. For the last sixty years, the city of Ypres in Belgium has held a popular “Cat Parade” that draws visitors from around the country. All the gorgeous medieval buildings in the city center are less than a hundred years old. Articles in Fabled Felinesare written by. This cruel practice continued until 1817 although the Kattenstoet continues to this day- involving stuffed cats instead. If one chooses to ignore the history of this festival, though, Kattenstoet is a good place to celebrate everything cat related – from giant cat floats to people dressed up as colorful felines. dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and A street where people passed by everyday suddenly became a place for people to connect and meet. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. This barbaric practice continued for centuries from at least 1410 to the last ritual killing in 1817. Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium (Photo by cirdub/Creative Commos via Wikimedia). The Diary of the Awesome Me, part 2 is a special unaired episode of Hetalia: World Series included on the Hetalia: Axis Powers Fan Disk.It takes place between the first two episodes of World Series, adapting more of The Diary of the Awesome Me (last seen in Episode 53), along with the first portion of Kitty Festival (while the second portion was adapted in Episode 54). They were not just put down, but taken to the local church and hurled from the bell tower. In the parade itself many people dress as cats or witches, and during the celebrations the Medieval superstitions are mocked by the burning of a dummy 'witch'. This festival has become a major tourist attraction for Belgium, garnering a crowd of over 8000 during its last edition. ... required a drive to the isolated Sint-Sixtus Monastery, the only place that sold it. In Ypres in Belgium, it was the custom to hurl cats from the belfry of local churches and then set them on fire during the festival of cats or Kattenstoet. Even non-black cats were treated badly, even by the very low standards of medieval Europe. At the moment, the best place in Belgium to be a cat might be Ypres, where every three years a large folkloric parade is held in the animal’s honor. While the decree did not specifically say that all black cats were diabolical, the decree was bad news for dark cats. During the festival, shop windows fill with cat-themed decorations and toys, and almost every foodstuff imaginable is sold in cat-shape. The festival has grown to be a Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. It’s located in West Flanders, and the city itself has a lot of history. Back in those days many cultures believed … The unusual gathering was borne out of the cruel medieval practice of throwing cats off of a bell tower, but in modern times has transformed into a spectacle celebrating cat culture through the ages. Held every three years, the Ypres Cat Festival in the heart of the city features a contemporary parade, set for Sunday, May 13 at 3 pm, full of Ypres history with floats, giant cats, … Kattenstoet, or the “Festival of the Cats”, is held once every three years and consist chiefly of parades featuring giant cat effigies, brass bands, marchers and people riding on … Reply. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. This cruel practice continued until 1817 although the Kattenstoet continues to this day- involving stuffed cats instead. No live cats are used in the Festival. I heard about the Cat Parade shortly after I moved here in 2009. ABOVE: Photograph of the Kattenstoet in Ypres, Belgium in the late 1950s. The first parade was held in 1938 with music, a jester, and a bunch of altar boys carrying a bunch of plastic cats. Creative Commons Attribution. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. In Ypres, Belgium, for instance, townspeople hurled cats from a belfry onto the cobble streets below and then set them on fire. Purr-n-Fur UK | The Ypres Cat Festival, or Kattenstoet. The Cats' Parade is held every third year in the Flemish town of Ypres (Ieper) in Belgium - a celebration of the history and tradition of cats. La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain) – Festival where you throw tomatoes at each otherBurning Man (Black Rock City, United States) – Annual event where a temporary city is created, sharing takes place and ends with the burning of a wooden manOutside Lands Music and Arts Festival (San Francisco, United States) – Music, arts and food festival. People in medieval Ypres, Belgium, had a festival called Kattenstoet where they’d throw cats from the belfry tower to symbolize the killing of evil spirits. In the 1930s cats were again thrown from the bell-tower in Ypres. Ypres, Brussels. The Kattenstoet (Festival of the Cats) is held every three years on the second Sunday of May; the next is scheduled for 2015. The centerpiece of the festival is the Cat Parade. It has been a long journey for the festival to go from hate and fear to love and adoration. Both the wool and the finished cloth were stored in 'Cloth Halls', where, given Medieval standards of sanitation, the product rapidly became infested with mice. Apparently the festival, which is held once every three years, in May, started back i… Today the macabre killings are remembered every three years during the Kattenstoet parade, which is however a cat-friendly event in which only toy cats are thrown from the tower, and people dress as cats and dance in the street, perhaps in a request of forgiveness to cats for their former ways. killing of the time. In the 1930s cats were again thrown from the bell-tower in Ypres. The origins of the misconception. I’m open to suggestions. The next one will be held on May 10, 2015. A mock witch burning also remains as a part of the festivities. Next parade 2018 ... Pictures: 1. As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May to the Kattenstoet (Festival of The Cats) in Ypres, Belgium. The history of the festival After the concept of holding cat festivals was first launched, The Edmonton Cat Festival, which was first taken place in Canada in 2014, has been considered to be one of the most well-known cat festivals that are still held annually with the view to worship cats as well a present for their magical existence. It is held every third year on the second Sunday of May.Most recently, the 44th edition took place on May 10, 2015, with the 45th expecting to take place on May 13, 2018. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. The next Festival will take place in 2024. The days of cat throwing are long gone, thankfully, ending in the early 19th century, although art from the time still marks the history. The festival celebrates cats of legend and lore, cats in history, and cats around the world. Ypres’ Kattenstoet, the Festival of the Cats. Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium (Photo by Zeisterre/Creative Commons via Wikimedia). As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May to the Kattenstoet (Festival of The Cats) in Ypres, Belgium.I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. At the parade, tableaux show themes such as 'Cats in Language and History', 'World Cats' or the show celebrates Ypres' new image as a Cat City. It became a full-fledged event in the 1950s as it grew to include 1500 people. the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. The Middle Ages were not kind to cats. Kattenstoet (which I wrote about more in-depth last year), is the (in)famous Belgian Cat Festival that occurs every three years on the second Sunday of May in the city of Ypres. August. No, it's also about throwing cats off the roof of the town's towers. Today the festival of kattenstoet has been revived, but with toy cats thrown from the Church. These days, the town celebrates all things cat with Kattenstoet (“Cat Parade”), a festival held every three years (the 2018 edition was the 45th). Copyright © 2013-20. But now the cats were soft plastic toys thrown as part of an expanded city festival which also featured a 'Cat's race' in the morning by competitors on bicycles. Cats in Fables, Fairytales and Festivals. Held every year in February at the Flagey Centre in Brussels, the popular event seeks to promote cartoons and animated films; while bringing together artists, filmmakers, and fans of the … Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium, Posted by Laurie Kay Olson on May 08, 2013. My story with Belgium begins with Hercules Poirot. The parade now boasts bands, marchers and dancers dressed as cats and mice, and giant cat effigies. Though, thankfully, these days the real-live hissing cats have been replaced by stuffed versions of the same. The unusual gathering was borne out of the cruel medieval practice of throwing cats off of a bell tower, but in modern times has transformed into a spectacle celebrating cat culture through the ages. Joshua J. For example, 79 medieval cats were mysteriously slain in Cambridge, England, by the townsfolk in the 13th century. Yes indeed, the persecution De Kattenstoet © BeerTourism.com of felines has been elevated to the status of a festival in Ypres, and is called the 'Kattenstoet'. The Kattenstoet, Festival of the Cats, is a parade in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to the cat. The origins of the misconception. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. 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If you do make it to Flanders, the museum In Flanders Field is a must-see. Despite setbacks caused by war and recessions, Cat's Wednesday is now a well-established event which celebrates cats rather than killing them. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and … However, perhaps to prove that the the council had no satanic intentions behind this pest-control measure, once the cloth was sold, the cats were killed. Today the macabre killings are remembered every three years during the Kattenstoet parade, which is however a cat-friendly event in which only toy cats are thrown from the tower, and people dress as cats and dance in the street, perhaps in a request of forgiveness to cats for their former ways. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. This was based on how live cats were once thrown from the bell tower during the Middle Ages. If you want to attend the next Cat Festival you can start planning now. ABOVE: Photograph of the Kattenstoet in Ypres, Belgium in the late 1950s. They march through the town watched by large crowds of people, both locals and tourists, who turn out to cheer on the cats. About Us. How To Give A Kitty Massage -- The Animal Video Of The Day!!! Your use of this site is deemed to be your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Site Disclosures and our Privacy Policy. Since then the event has been expanded into a parade and full-scale festival which happens once every three years. Sources: Yahoo! Since then the event has been expanded into a parade and full-scale festival which happens once every three years. Cat burning was also practised: Although Ypres is not the only place where cats were used as victims in numerous folkloristic games, it is one of the few cities where the ritual still happens - … Your piece is inaccurate on many points. Detail from 'Kattenstoet '09 Ieper' by GeS What “historical references” would be able to show this alleged “cat massacre” did not take place? (Ypres still has a triennial festival called the Kattenstoet, but they throw feline stuffed animals.) I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium In The 1950s (Photo by Cerile Deltombe/Creative Commons via Wikimedia). As all cat lovers and ancient Egyptians know, adoration is the way to go. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. Back in those days many cultures believed … Of course, toy cats are still thrown from the bell tower, but now they are plushy toys which are eagerly caught by the children gathered below. In Ypres in Belgium, it was the custom to hurl cats from the belfry of local churches and then set them on fire during the festival of cats or Kattenstoet. People in medieval Ypres, Belgium, had a festival called Kattenstoet where they’d throw cats from the belfry tower to symbolize the killing of evil spirits. The Edmonton Cat Festival in Alberta, Canada. be in league with witches and the devil. Once upon a time, being a cat in Ypres on the second week of Lent equaled certain death. In Tokyo there’s a law forbidding pets in rented apartments, which explains the phenomenon of the cat cafe, where cat lovers can get their neko fix anytime. 2. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. This picture is from 2006; the next Kattenstoet will be on 10 May 2009. Ypres was a city known for cloth making with the cloth stored in the cities tower ready for their annual fair. The cat not only survived the fall, but as soon as it hit the ground, it ran for its remaining eight lives. The event, called Kattenstoet (Festival of Cats), still takes place every year on May 2, though it now involves stuffed animals only. Halcyon Solutions Inc.. All Rights Reserved. What is interesting is that for all this eagerness to avoid looking satanic, there seems to have been an element of Pagan sacrifice in the ritual killings. May 12 & 13, 2018. The Kattenstoet is a triennial parade and festival held on the second Sunday in May. The parade was suspended during the years of World War II when the city of Ypres was all but leveled by the fighting, but resumed again in 1946. Back in those days many cultures believed … The Festival is for 5 days and 5 nights in March each year beginning … This happened on 'Cat's Wednesday', in the second week of Lent. In the fifteenth century a papal decree known as the Vox in Rama declared that the devil was known to manifest itself in the form of a black cat. Cats were introduced to the tower as a solution to the sudden arrival of mice who found the cloth attractive to eat. The city was a strategic position during the first World War, so much of the city was destroyed. 'Minneke Poes' by cirdub Cat Wednesday is not now celebrated just by cat lovers - the festival has become a popular tourist attraction. However, a peculiar part of the activities, the flinging of plush cats from the city’s bell tower, hints at the festival ’s less feline-friendly origins. Travel, Kattenstoet, Wikipedia. Kattenstoet (which I wrote about more in-depth last year), is the (in)famous Belgian Cat Festival that occurs every three years on the second Sunday of May in the city of Ypres. You know, small-town sh*t. 9. With screenings of more than 300 different animation movies from around the world, Anima is the place to be for fans of animation films and cartoons. 13 . Ypres isn't all about medieval splendour, and monuments to the tragedy of war. I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May to the Kattenstoet (Festival of The Cats) in Ypres, Belgium. The world needs more cat celebrations. A good example of this was in the city of Ypres in Belgium. As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May … Since mouse droppings and gnawed fabric do not do much for a product's value, the city council invested in some cats to control the mice. But now the cats were soft plastic toys thrown as part of an expanded city festival which also featured a 'Cat's race' in the morning by competitors on bicycles. Thereafter the ceremony dropped into obscurity, celebrated only by the ringing of the bells on 'Cat Wednesday'. The reasons for expanding the parade include the rebuilding of the city and creating tourism to help create a new economy for the area. Cat-burning This medieval French entertainment involved cats suspended over wood pyres, set in wicker cages, or strung from maypoles and then set alight. And while the Ypres celebration is a wonderful festival, it is worth noting that the city has still 350 years of shameful behaviour to make up for! The event, called Kattenstoet (Festival of Cats), still takes place every year on May 2, though since Ypres’ questionable form of pest control ended … The next Festival will take place in 2024. I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. When the cloth sales were good, only a few cats were killed, when sales were poor, more cats were 'sacrificed'. All this cat love has resulted in some strangely charming places where travelers can stop to pay tribute. Anima: The Brussels Animation Film Festival. A local archivist saw the very last cat to be thrown off the tower. Today the macabre killings are remembered every three years during the Kattenstoet parade, which is however a cat-friendly event in which only toy cats are thrown from the tower, and people dress as cats and dance in the street, perhaps in a request of forgiveness to cats for their former ways. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on The Kattenstoet remembers how the people of … Mark says: November 5, 2018 at 11:00 pm. 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