Belgium’s German-speaking community will launch annual carnival celebrations on Saturday 4 November in various locations in the east of the country.
The appointment of the 2024 carnival prince in the eastern town of Kelmis, also known by its French name Calamine, will signal the start of months-long festivities climaxing with Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) on 12 February.
The Kelmis Carnival, first held in 1868, will be seeing its 71st princely proclamation. Flanked by a jester, a treasurer and two pages, the prince will oversee the KeNeHeMo Carnival, which combines the regions of Kelmis, Neu-Moresnet, Hergenrath, and Moresnet. He will ensure the event’s lively atmosphere throughout the carnival season.
On 11 November, the official start of the Rhineland Carnival, various events will be held in the eastern province of Liège. Kelmis will dedicate this day to the Küschespektakel (pig spectacle).
From Saturday 18 November, costumed parties (Kappensitzungen) will be organised nearly every weekend – except for the end-of-year holidays – until the dawn of Rosenmontag on 12 February.
For the event, thousands of people will take to the streets in the most colourful floats and costumes. The public typically turns out in large numbers to witness the procession.
This parade is typical of the Rhineland Carnival, which is currently awaiting recognition as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
