The traditional 'Noirauds' charitable fundraiser in Watermael-Boitsfort has been banned due to allegations of racism, despite being given the green light in Brussels' 18 remaining communes.
The municipality has informed the organisation that the fundraiser for disadvantaged children cannot go ahead due to the continued use of 'blackface', RTBF reports.
The Noirauds' annual parade and fundraising date back to the 1870s – just a few decades before Belgium colonised the Congo. It started as a bourgeois group from Brussels wished to raise funds to save a crèche in Les Marolles. The event then became a tradition and the participants formed an association – the Royal Work of the Princess Paola Cribs, formerly the African Conservatory.
Members would paint their faces black as a disguise (so friends and family wouldn't recognise them and feel obliged to donate), wear a white collar and black jacket (supposedly the attire of prominent Africans at the time), and collect money from restaurant goers in Brussels and Walloon Brabant.
The Noirauds parade in Brussels in 2014. Credit: Les Noirauds / Facebook
However, after almost 150 years and heavy recent criticism for the racist practice of blackface, the group was forced to change its ways and instead started painting their faces in the colours of the Belgian flag (black, yellow and red) in 2019.
The controversy is not new: in 2015, Didier Reynders – then Belgium's former Foreign Affairs Minister – caused furore by participating in the event whilst wearing blackface.
'Moving with the times'
"Since then, we have thought hard about our colouring," Noiraud Albert Vermeiren told Bruzz. "This is folklore and you have to respect the history and traditions of the procession. But most importantly, we have a charitable mission. So why should we make a fuss out of it? We too have to move with the times."
"This is a new look that fits the spirit of the times," Vermeiren added, in reference to the tricolour face paint. "We remain anonymous and still highlight the festive nature of our procession."
With their updated face painting, the Noirauds ask authorities for permission to visit each of the city's 19 communes. In 2023, all Brussels municipalities accepted the new look except Watermael-Boitsfort. The municipality announced on Tuesday that it will uphold this ban in 2024.
Les Noirauds' parade in March 2019. Credit: Belga / Laurie Dieffembacq
"Obviously this refusal leaves a bit of a sour taste in our mouths," Jean-Pierre Follet, a 20-year member of the Noirauds and elected president last year. He told RTBF that he doesn't understand the decision: "Boitsfort is the only municipality that has banned us. We have been doing it for almost 150 years and I think we are always completely correct when we collect donations."
"We pay for registration fees, care, assistance and hospital initiatives for children. Requests are made by organisations such as schools or non-profit associations with social workers. We don't give money directly to parents," Follet told La Libre.
However Mayor of Watermael-Boitsfort Olivier Deleuze (Ecolo) stands by the ban. While he acknowledged the changes, he remains unconvinced: "They are still called the Noirauds ['Black ones'], not the 'Verauds' ['Green ones'] or the 'Bleuauds' ['Blue ones']."
He said the participants would only be welcome in Watermael-Boitsfort if they change their entire look and name. "It's entirely linked to Zwarte Piet [the controversial blackface figure who accompanies Sinterklaas, ed.]. If they want to come to Watermael-Boitsfort and the municipality is so important to their business plan, they should change their make-up."
'Nothing to do with racism'
But many residents are outraged by Deleuze's decision. "More vile nonsense from the Greens as usual. This collection is done by people who are far more honest than the local authorities," one resident posted in a Facebook group.
"This has nothing to do with racism! The Noirauds just wanted to raise money for a good cause but remain anonymous, hence the make-up. The black is because they tried other colours but they didn't disguise as well," another added.
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The collections will take place between Wednesday 13 and Sunday 17 March 2024. The Noirauds have lost momentum and participants since Covid-19 but now number around 20 volunteers who participate each year, raising an average of €20,000.
"I can understand that some Africans might feel hurt. That's obviously not the aim; it would be rather paradoxical for a philanthropic association," Follet told Sudinfo. "We have evolved by adapting our make-up so perhaps it's up to the local authorities to evolve too and see that there is no more blackface."
