Dear Visitor,

The Embassy of Belgium wishes you a very prosperous new year of the Tiger. The celebration of the Chinese New Year will coincide this year with those of the Carnival in Binche (www.carnavaldebinche.be). With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, Binche’s famed celebration ranks as one of Europe’s oldest surviving street carnivals. Since 2003, the carnival of Binche is recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and immaterial inheritance of humanity. The carnival culminates on Mardi Gras, when the legendary Gille characters make their appearance. After an elaborate ceremonial dressing rite, several hundred Gilles sporting red, yellow and black costumes, replete with ostrich-feather hats, wooden clogs, bells and wax masks with small spectacles, parade through the town to the beat of the drum. Much like in Asia, where it is a symbol of the coming back of the spring, the Gille parades with oranges (…which he throws to the spectators!). Many other cities have their own Carnival, high in colour and sound, such as Aalst (www.aalst.be/carnaval/). For more information, please consult: www.visitflanders.com/, www.opt.be/ and www.brusselsinternational.be

Yours sincerely,

Roland Van Remoortele

Ambassador of Belgium to Singapore