dancing giants festivals

Until now, the friends of Fromulus have organised three european Parades of dancing giants: The first in 1989, the second in 1993, and the last in 2000. The next Parade will be in 2006 ! (28th, 29th and 30st April 2006)

The third European Parade of Dancing giants

Further to the huge success of the second Procession in 1993, the Friends of Fromulus decided to set up another "fête", but an even more beautiful one in the year 2000.

There were no more giants present in Steenvoorde than in 1993 for a good reason enough, which is that the town is not big enough to welcome more giants than it already has. Yet it gathered 100 giants out of the most beautiful ones and out of ten European countries. The different countries representated were England, Ireland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, and Andorra.

The choosing of the giants is very harsh and depends on the beauty, the age, and the fame of the puppets.

As they are active defenders of the tradition of carrying giants, the Friends of Fromulus had spread the news that only carried giants would be visible, and it was so !

"The Third European Parade of Dancing Giants" lasted three days and gathered more than 50 000 people.

Le Montage de "Jan Turpin" de Nieuwport (Belgique)

To learn more about the giants that came in 2000 : Click here

The Second European Parade of Dancing Giants

On 24th and 25th April 1993, as the European borders were about to be opened, "Les Amis de Fromulus" organised, the "Second European Parade of Dancing Giants". This event, a unique festival in the area gathered at Steenvoorde 102 giants coming from six European countries All these giants were carried along the lines of the tradition of dancing giants.

The day was far more successful than the undertakers had thought or hoped it would be.


The festivities started on the Saturday with the arrival of the foreign groups which went round the town accompanied by their respective musical band to announce the important event that was to take place.

Yet, this small procession, though enjoyed by the people of Steenvoorde, was nothing like the large one that was to take place on the following day.

As soon as the last gigantic guests had arrived (from Belgium, France and Netherlands), "Jean le Bûcheron" lead the way for the others and they all formed a magnificent chain. "Jean le Bûcheron" was being the hero of that successful day, a success which a few figures reveal at first sight :

A crowd of 40,000 onlookers, 1,500 dressed up people, and 1,000 musicians were gathered.

The highest giant in Europe, "Jan Turpin" from Nieuwpoort in Belgium, carried by 24 men hidden underneath the huge skirt, danced beautifully even though it is 11.4 meters (about 35 feet!) high.

All the ways into town were jammed and so was the motorway (Dunkerque-Lille) both ways. The French TV broadcasting companies were there, as well as a few from Belgium, Germany. There was even a Japanese Broadcasting company !

On the following week, one of the French redactors who had been there, disappointed as he was for not having been able to tape enough of the event, phoned the Friends of Fromulus to ask them the following question:
"will there be such another thing as your "fête" in the area in the near future? and if yes, when?"
The answer was:
"Yes, in Steenvoorde in the year 2000!"

The striking point of the "Second Parade of Dancing Giants" was, of course, the number of giants that were there. However, one has to bear in mind that quality and diversity were the driving forces of the gathering.

	"Bertilak from the High Desert" from London figures a medieval character taken out of a poem. This character was beheaded by a knight from the court of England. This all green giant, which was very impressive was unfortunately not there for the "Third Parade of Dancing Giants" which took place on 29th and 30th April 2000. However, England was represented by his wife, a giant that is excedingly pregnant.
"Elisabeth-Christine", the wife of Charles II, came from Wolfenbuttel in Germany. She is one of the very few of the gigantic species across the Rhine. This giant lady is superbly dressed following the 18th century fashion. She is 3.5 meters high (11 feet high) and the locks of her natural hair curl beautifully.
	"Coupi", the witty fox dressed as a monk came from Ath in Belgium. It represented, together with "Bayard the Horse" from Dinant (Belgium) and the "Poultry" from Meslin l' Evêque, the tradition of giants in the likeness of animals.
Le Cheval Bayard de Dinant	Le Coq et La Poule de Meslin l'Évêque

The "Stone from Hollain", a neolithic stone was there to remind people that giants do not always picture living characters.

1989, a giant idea !

Le Programme de la Ronde de 1989

To celebrate Jean le Bûcheron's 75th birthday as he deserved it, "Les Amis de Fromulus" got the great idea to set up an event matching the unusual size of the character.
They invited 31 carried gigantic figures from France, Belgium, and Spain to celebrate with Jean.
The day was so successful that from then on, they would have to celebrate big events in such a gigantic way, thanks to the ...

... European Parades of Dancing Giants!!

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Espace Culturel Jean Paul Bataille, 44 rue Carnot, BP 23 - 59114 Steenvoorde - FRANCE
Tel/Fax: 00.33.(0)328433216. Président: michel.sansen@les-amis-de-fromulus.com
Ce site a été mis à jour le 04/08/08