Belgian and French fairground culture has been listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
After almost ten years of advocacy, it is official: funfairs are set to be added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Official recognition aims to recognise the unique social character, cultural values, lifestyle and know-how of fairground communities in France and Belgium.
Brussels State Secretary for Heritage Ans Persoons marked the designation at the Brussels Christmas market on Thursday afternoon.
"Fairground culture is a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation," said Persoons. "Being a fairground trader often means running a family business. Heritage is about much more than buildings. It is also about cherishing our ever-evolving customs and traditions, and fairground culture is a perfect example of this living heritage."
Credit: Ans Persoons
"We are aware of the responsibility that the listing entails," said Steve Severeyns, chair of the non-profit organisation Verdediging der Belgische Foorreizigers. "We will continue to collaborate with universities for research into fairground culture with great enthusiasm. And we will continue to raise awareness among municipalities and governments at all levels, so that there is always a place for fairs in our society."
Recognition will be approved during the 19th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción (Paraguay) which is running from 2 to 7 December.
'A wonderful acknowledgement'
Belgium's funfairs are operated by 850 family businesses and bring together around 7,000 fairground people known as forains. The work requires specific skillsets that are passed down through oral and practical training.
Forains are proud of their heritage and are largely in favour of the UNESCO label. "The fair has been passed down through generations, and [UNESCO status] would be a wonderful acknowledgement for us," a forain at the Foire du Midi told The Brussels Times in August. "It would recognise our craft as something ancestral."
The Foire du Midi is one of Belgium's biggest funfairs and attracted almost one million visitors this year, 87% of whom were Belgian. "For many families, the fair represents the ultimate holiday," said Benhur Ergen (MR), City of Brussels councillor for economic affairs.
