The Festival of the Giants

Post written by Lucille, a United Planet team member.

Each year, during the first weekend of July, the North of France celebrates the Festival of the Giants.

Picture taken by chaton144, Flickr

Most of the Northern cities have a patron giant to protect them. Today, there are more than 300 giants representing the cities of the region. In 2005, UNESCO added the festival to the World Heritage List. These giants are not simple statues; they are moving giants! They are made of wood and people carry them around during the festival. The giants measure between six and eight and half meters in length (20 to 25 ft).They are really heavy and are carried by six men who hide under the giants’ clothes. However, there are also smaller giants which are about two and a half to three meters high (8 or 9 ft) and are carried by a single person. Single carriers bring their giants to life by moving and turning them as they parade through town.

Picture taken by chaton144, Flickr

Binbin, the giant of my hometown, had a special parade last year for his 200th “birthday.” You may think that 200 years is old for a giant. Prepare yourself to be surprised! Binbin is the youngest of the Gayant family, the most famous family of giants. These giants hail from the city of Douai and Mr Gayant is more than 500 years old! The members of the family are Gayant, his wife Marie Cagenon, and their children: Jacquot, Fillon and Binbin. According to legend, the young knight Gayant saved the city of Douai from invasion by the Normands in the 9th century. The inhabitants of Douai made a statue in his honor and created a festival to thank him; however, the church banned the festival claiming it was idolatry. Nevertheless, in1530 the festival was revived and the city of Douai continues to celebrate it to this day. Nearby cities created their own versions of this popular festival by later “adopting” Gayant’s children or creating their own giant from medieval fictional characters.

Picture taken by costata, Flickr

Now, each year, during the last weekend of June or the first weekend of July, cities across Northern France and parts of Belgium celebrate the Festival of the Giants. Each celebration features outdoor music, a parade with costumed dancers and lots of candy for the children.
The giants often journey from neighboring cities to take part in the celebration. Lucky festival-goers can sometimes spot weddings between ally giants! It is a great moment that I was always anxious for when I was younger. I advise everybody to go, particularly if you have children!