Ypres Shrovetide Carnival
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THE YPRES TIMES
FOR centuries back in history Ypres has been noted as the home of a brave,
thriving; and jovial population. Witnesses of this were the Ramparts, the
Cloth Hall and the Belfry from the top of which, on the eve of Kattefeest
celebration, one or more cats, with coloured ribbons flowing from their necks,
were thrown out to the street for the amusement of the crowd. The Tunydag
feast, still in existence and lasting two full weeks, also dates from 1383.
Reproduced, by kind permission of The Photo Press Agency.
PART OF THE PROCESSION BESIDE THE MENIN GATE.
Ypres of 1914, although shrunk to a little town with scarcely over 18,000
inhabitants, still lived up to the old tradition inasmuch as amusements and folklore
were concerned. Shrovetide Carnival was a special occasion for parades and balls
and fancy dress as in other Continental towns. Processions, however, as seen in
the picture above, did not take place until recent years. Early in 1926 half a dozen
citizens, pioneers of the reconstruction and revivers, in an effort to bring back
pre-war trade from the surrounding towns and villages to Ypres' market and shops,
