Belgium carnival town ready to party post pandemic

After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic that brought one of Europe’s oldest Mardi Gras celebrations to a halt and put the Kerstens on the verge of bankruptcy, celebrations are back with a vengeance this winter. The earliest records of the Binche Mardi Gras, which draws thousands of revelers, date back to the 14th century.

Many towns in Belgium hold ebullient carnival processions before Lent.  The UNESCO-listed event starts three days before Lent and reaches its climax on Mardi Gras. After the economic struggles of the past two years, and amid the anguish triggered by energy bills that went through the roof, the people of Binche want to make this year’s carnival one for the ages.