The 100th edition of the Fêtes de Wallonie in Namur will have a new programme in 2023, the Central Committee of Wallonia (CCW) and the City of Namur, announced on Friday.
Created in 1923 by François Bovesse, then a young parliamentarian from Namur, the traditional Walloon festive event will take place at the end of September. But this time, the festivities will start far earlier than usual. In the first quarter of the year, the CCW – who are the main organisers – and its partners will launch the operation “Les souvenirs des Namurois”.
This aims to collect photos, testimonies and anecdotes that will be promoted during the anniversary edition of the “Wallos”. A series of twelve podcasts will also be produced to express what the Fêtes de Wallonie means to 15-30 year olds.
Also in the spirit of discovering regional heritage, treasure hunts will be designed on the Fêtes de Wallonie mobile app. This will give routes for discovering the city, where festivities take place and highlights. A photo exhibition will display photos from the 100 editions of the “Wallos” as well as others about Walloon folklore.
Stands for the festival fill Namur centre, September 2013. BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
An exhibition with photos and folk costumes will be organised over three weeks in September. This will feature a sound and light show that will animate the Walloon capital during the week preceding the Fêtes.
Folklore groups from across the region will be invited to Namur “to present a huge picture of Walloon traditions and heritage”. More details about the events will be announced soon.
