Binche Carnival
Gilles de Binche is a carnival figure from Belgium and is best known for the colorful and extravagant costumes worn at the carnival.
The character comes from the city of Binche in the province of Hainaut, located in southern Belgium, (Wallonia).
Gilles de Binche is often regarded as the most prominent and iconic figure of the Binche Carnival. This carnival is one of the oldest and best-known carnivals in Europe and was even included in the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.
The Gilles de Binche are recognisable by their costumes, which include a feathered hat, a mask, a loose blouse and pants, and a jacket decorated with ribbons and bells. The jacket is padded with straw.
They also wear wooden clogs called “sabots”. The costumes are traditional in the Belgian tricolor red, yellow and black and are remade every year by the wearer or a tailor.
