The city of Binche on Monday selected 22-year-old graphic artist Gaëtan Berger of Fontaine-Valmont as the winner of the competition/exposition for the official poster of its 2019 Carnival. The carnival tradition and Binche folklore are the main themes of the poster by Berger, who graduated in 2017 from the Haute Ecole Albert Jacquard of Namur. His work was selected from among those of 30 finalists out of the 60 artists who participated.
Announcing the result of the competition on Monday, the city’s authorities said the poster placed first by a wide margin of the public vote. The panel of judges, comprising experts in folklore and communication, also appreciated the young man’s intention.
Berger paid homage to the typical, traditional character of the “Peasant”, created in 1929. According to tradition, the character shares many affinities with the Gilles: both wear, for example, a mask on the morning of Shrove Tuesday. Moreover, both wear ostrich feathers on their hats and both carry a little bundle of tree branches.
The Binche Carnival will be held from 3 to 5 March 2019.
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The Brussels Times
