Doudou - Belgian

Hello! I am the Doudou, a very special and exciting festival that takes place in the city of Mons, which is in a country called Belgium. I am not just a single day of fun; people celebrate me for a whole week every year. During this time, the city is filled with joyful sounds and sights. There are parades with music marching through the streets, and many special events for everyone to enjoy. One of the most famous parts of my celebration is the retelling of an old story about a brave knight, a big green dragon, and a thrilling battle.

My own story began a very, very long time ago, in the year 1349. It was a difficult time for the people living in Mons because many of them were sick with a terrible illness called the plague. To ask for help, the people of the city held a special walk, called a procession. They carried important historical objects, known as the relics of a woman named Saint Waltrude, through the city streets. Not long after this procession, the sickness finally ended. The people were so relieved and thankful. To remember that important day and show their thanks, they decided to have a procession just like it every single year.

One of my most important traditions is the Procession of the Golden Coach, which happens on Sunday morning. The relics of Saint Waltrude are carefully placed inside a beautiful coach that is decorated in gold. It is a magnificent sight that thousands of people gather to watch. This coach is very heavy, and it is pulled by several strong horses. Their job is to pull the coach all the way up a very steep street paved with bumpy cobblestones. People believe that if the horses can pull the coach to the top of the hill in one go, without stopping, the city of Mons will have good luck for the rest of the year. Everyone cheers the horses on!

After the excitement of the Golden Coach parade, my most famous event begins. It is a re-enactment of a legendary battle, and it is called the Lumeçon. This pretend fight takes place in the city's large main square where everyone can see. A person playing the part of a hero named Saint George bravely faces a huge, green dragon. The dragon isn't real, of course! It's a large, creative costume that is moved around by several people working together inside it. During the battle, Saint George tries his best to defeat the mighty dragon. While they are fighting, people in the crowd try to grab a piece of hair from the dragon’s tail, because it is believed to be a lucky charm.

Today, I continue to be a very important celebration that brings the whole community of Mons together in a spirit of joy and tradition. My events are about remembering the city's history and sharing a special cultural experience. I am so important to the people of Mons that a worldwide group called UNESCO named me a special cultural treasure. This title is a great honor. It means that my unique traditions are recognized as being very valuable to the world's history, and it helps make sure that my parades, my stories, and my celebrations will be protected and can continue for many more years to come.