DOUDOU, PROCESSION OF THE GOLDEN CARRIAGE AND BATTLE OF THE LUMECON - ST. WAUDRU PROCESSION

© OPT - Ricardo de la Riva

Address:

Grand-Place
7000 MONS
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Seven hundred-year-old procession. On Sunday as from 9.45 am, a procession (that has become more historical than religious), sets off from the Collegiate Church of St. Waudru to wander around the streets of Mons until midday. The procession's history is based on the time when an outbreak of the Plague was arrested due to the prayers to St. Waudru by the people of Mons. The sumptuous "golden carriage" which is at the end of the cortège carries the reliquaries of the Saint. After the procession, at about 12h30 in the main square of Mons, while an enormous crowd looks on, and to the tune of the "Doudou", (a popular song played during the festivities), St. Georges, on horseback, fights and slays the dragon. This medieval game has the symbolic meaning of the triumph of good over Evil.

Comment:

The Doudou takes place on Sunday but the festivities already start on the Thursday before and end on the Wednesday after.

Fri ev.: free concert on the Grand'Place and military music parade in Great Mons. Sat ev.: descent of the Châsse of Sainte-Waudru at the Collegiate church and retreat with torches. Sun: Departure of the Procession at 9.30 am, in front of the Collegiate Church Sainte-Waudru of Mons. From 12.30 pm: via the Rue des Clercs to the Grand'Place of Mons for The Combat of the Lumeçon. At 4.30 pm, parade of military music at the Stade Charles Tondreau. Mon and Tue: large market in the city centre. Fri to Tue: International Festival of Military Music. Tue: on the Grand'Place, military music parade at 9 pm and fireworks at 11 pm. Wed: Petit Lumeçon (for children) at Waux-Hall.

Extra information:

The Ducasse of Mons has been recognized as oral and intangible heritage of humanity by the UNESCO.

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