Editing Carnival (section)

====Belgium====
Many parts of [[Belgium]] celebrate Carnival, typically with costume parades, partying and fireworks. These areas include the province of Limburg with its cities [[Maasmechelen]], [[Maaseik]] and Lanaken along the river Meuse, the cities of [[Aalst, Belgium|Aalst]], [[Ninove]], [[Binche]], [[Eupen]], [[Halle, Belgium|Halle]], [[Heist-aan-Zee|Heist]], [[Kelmis]], [[Malmedy]], and [[Stavelot]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delmarcelle |first=Camille |date=2016-01-30 |title=Why Is The Carnival of Binche Celebrated in Belgium? |url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/why-do-we-celebrate-the-carnival-of-binche-in-belgium/ |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=Culture Trip |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621235111/https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/why-do-we-celebrate-the-carnival-of-binche-in-belgium/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Binche - Les Gilles.jpg|thumb|The [[Gilles]] at the [[Carnival of Binche]], in [[Binche]], Belgium]]

The [[Carnival of Binche]] dates at least to the 14th century. Parades are held over the three days before Lent; the most important participants are the [[Gilles]], who wear traditional costumes on Shrove Tuesday and throw [[blood orange]]s to the crowd.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/22/travel/masked-revels-of-a-belgian-mardi-gras.html?sec=travel&pagewanted=2 |title=Masked Revels of a Belgian Mardi Gras |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=Anne Shapiro Devreux |date=22 January 1989 |access-date=29 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728003222/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/22/travel/masked-revels-of-a-belgian-mardi-gras.html?sec=travel&pagewanted=2 |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, the Carnival of Binche was recognised as one of the [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?cp=BE |title=UNESCO Culture Sector – Intangible Heritage – 2003 Convention: Belgium |access-date=29 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701010208/http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?cp=BE |archive-date=1 July 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Carnival of Aalst]], celebrated during the three days preceding Ash Wednesday, received the same recognition in 2010.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.kunstenenerfgoed.be/ake/view/nl/2626684-Aalst+Carnival+in+2010+voorgedragen+als+immaterieel+cultureel+erfgoed+van+de+mensheid+(UNESCO).html |title=Erfgoed Vlaamse gemeenschap |access-date=12 February 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Belgium's oldest parade is the [[Carnival Parade of Maaseik]], also held on Laetare Sunday, which originated in 1865.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsgd.com/specials/limburg/news/content/2018-03/15/content_181107769.htm|title=Carnival: Limburg's traditional popular festival_news_www.newsgd.com|last=Wong|first=Keane|website=newsgd.com|access-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119091944/http://www.newsgd.com/specials/limburg/news/content/2018-03/15/content_181107769.htm|archive-date=19 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Un petit groupe de "Longs Nés".jpg|thumb|''Long-Né'' and ''Longuès-Brèsses'' at the Carnival of Malmedy (''[[Cwarmê]]''), in [[Malmedy]], Belgium]]

The Carnival of [[Malmedy]] is locally called ''[[Cwarmê]]''. Even if Malmedy is located in the east Belgium, near the German-speaking area, the ''Cwarmê'' is a pure [[Walloons|Walloon]] and Latin carnival. The celebration takes place during the four days before Shrove Tuesday. The ''Cwarmê'' Sunday is the most important and interesting to see. All the old traditional costumes parade in the street. The ''Cwarmê'' is a "street carnival" and is not only a parade. People who are disguised pass through the crowd and perform a part of the traditional costume they wear. The famous traditional costumes at the ''Cwarmê'' of Malmedy are the ''Haguète'', the ''Longuès-Brèsses'', and the ''Long-Né.''<ref>{{Cite web| title = Historique| url = http://www.malmedy.be/en/Tourisme/folklore-et-carnaval/le-carnaval/| website = malmedy.be| access-date = 5 January 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202233620/http://www.malmedy.be/en/Tourisme/folklore-et-carnaval/le-carnaval/| archive-date = 2 February 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref>

Some Belgian cities hold Carnivals during Lent. One of the best-known is [[Stavelot]], where the ''Carnival de la Laetare'' takes place on [[Laetare Sunday]], the fourth Sunday of Lent. The participants include the ''Blancs-Moussis'', who dress in white, carry long red noses and parade through town attacking bystanders with [[confetti]] and dried [[pig bladder]]s. The city of [[Halle, Belgium#Events|Halle]] also celebrates on Laetare Sunday.