The city of Mons in Wallonia this weekend celebrates the Ducasse de Mons – a folkloric event which transforms the city centre as participants recreate the fight between St. George and a 10-metre dragon.
Also referred to as the "Doudou", the festival happens every year on the weekend of Trinity Sunday (57 days after Easter) and dates back to the 14th century. Legend has it that an evil dragon roamed the city wreaking havoc until the town was saved by Saint George. The Doudou was recognized in 2005 by UNESCO as one of the masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The formal Ducasse ceremony was inaugurated on Saturday night, marking the Descent of Sainte-Waudru’s shrine to the Collegiate Church. One of the significant rituals of the Ducasse is set to unfold on Sunday, culminating in the so-called Lumeçon Fight between Saint George and the Dragon, which will take place on the Grand Palace at 12:30. Thousands of people are expected to attend the event.
The procession involves over 1,800 participants in period costumes. The carnival is celebrated with four key events: the descent of the shrine, the procession, the final ascent of Car d’Or (golden cart), and the fight between St. George and the dragon, which represents the battle between good and evil.
This ritual will repeat on Sunday 2 June in the “Little Lumeçon” – an event designed for children.
The Doudou in 2023, in considerably more clement conditions. Credit: Belga
