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The Kattenstoet, Festival of the Cats, is a parade in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to the cat. It is held every third year on the second Sunday of May. Most recently, the 44th edition took place on May 10, 2015, with the 45th expecting to take place on May 13, 2018. The parade commemorates an Ypres tradition from the Middle Ages in which cats were thrown from the belfry tower of the Cloth Hall to Kattenstoet 2024 Program The Cat Festival will start on Saturday, May 11, with family-friendly activities at 6 pm. Pedaleando Hacia el Cielo or Pedaleando, which means ‘cycling in heaven,' is an aerial performance with a mix of cinematic images, light, song, dance, and live music, which sets off at 10:30 pm. On Sunday, May 12, the highlight of the show is the Parade, which kicks off at 3 pm The Kattenstoet (which literally translates to “the Cat Parade”) occurs in a small town named Ypres on the French border of Belgium on the second Sunday of May every three years. While this beloved festival celebrates cats, it’s based on a rather horrific tradition of the townsfolk of Ypres once engaged in annually. Among the many strange European festivals, Kattenstoet in Ypres, Belgium has a solid history dating back to the middle ages. There is little logic behind the celebration, but each year, a parade of colorful looking cats takes to the streets of Ypres in celebration of the end of the wool market and the killing of the cats. In Belgium: Daily life and social customs Notable events include the Festival of Cats in Ypres, which is held once every three years and commemorates a practice from earlier centuries of tossing cats from the tower of the Cloth Hall to keep their numbers under control. Every three years, thousands of people from the Belgian city of Ypres gather on the second Sunday of May. Masquerading as cats and flanked by elaborate floats, they march to Cloth Hall - the centre of the city’s thriving textile industry - from the top of which they throw stuffed toy cats. Welcome to Kattenstoet, the Festival of Cats. But first, let's rewind a little. The Kattenstoet (Festival of the Cats) parade in Ypres, Belgium is steeped in tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, although its origins are far from being feline-friendly. (cedricdubois) (Cup'oCofi) The festival is a commemoration of an inhumane practice where the town jester would throw live cats off the belfry tower of Cloth Hall. The triennial Cat Festival will start on Saturday with an activity for children and families. On Saturday evening the town is buzzing with activities at various places in the town centre. On Sunday, the 47th Cat Parade passes through the streets of Ypres. View the programme: The Kattenstoet (lit. 'Festival of the Cats' or 'Cat Parade') is a parade in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to the cat. It has been running regularly since 1955 and is usually held triennially on the second Sunday of May. [3] The parade commemorates an Ypres tradition from the Middle Ages in which cats were allegedly thrown from the belfry tower of the Cloth Hall to the town square below. The Festival of Cats takes place in Ypres, Belgium on the second Sunday of May every three years. The meaning behind this fun festival is however, a little sinister. During Ypres winter months, cats were allowed to roam the town freely, catching mice and ensuring the little creatures didn’t get at the town’s main product – lace. Coupling their cat surplus with an already widespread belief that the animal was in cahoots with evil spirits, witches, and the devil, the Ieperlingen made throwing tabbies off of their 70-meter-high Belfry a mass spectacle. And while lots of other Belgian cities, such as Bruges, thought up cruel cat-torturing techniques in those superstitious days, Ypres has its modern festival to thank for In every store and restaurant window, a cat figurine or statue signals allegiance to the feline persuasion. This is Kattenstoet, Belgium’s cat-themed parade and festival. Cat Parade 2024 The parade consists of several dozen wagons, groups, marching bands, and so on whose themes all have something to do with the cat. For example, many sayings involving the cat are depicted. Some 1,560 extras (2024) participate in the Cat Parade. And of course the Ypres giants be allowed to go outside again. By giving the people a common project, a bond was created between them. Until the 1980s Ypres was known more for its Cat Parade than for war tourism. The town therefore owes much to the parade. It made Ypres known again in Belgium after the two world wars and strengthened the feeling of solidarity among the population. The Cats Festival (Kattenstoet) In the medieval times, when there were too many cats in Ypres, the inhabitants used to throw them off the Hall tower. After the First World War, the Mayor decided to resurrect this "tradition", albeit in a funny tone - with plush toys. The highlight of the day is the Cat’s parade. Many spectators are dressed as if for the carnival, some have headbands with Cat lovers appreciate and honor their four-legged friends in many ways, including holding and attending cat conventions and festivals. We’ve scoured the internet to bring you this list of upcoming cat conventions and festivals so you can celebrate your love of cats with like-minded people. Note: Due to the ongoing pandemic and local restrictions, some cat-related events are on hold or being Discover the fascinating history and vibrant traditions of Kattenstoet, the Belgian Cat Festival. Learn how this unique celebration honors feline culture with parades, costumes, and local customs. For the last sixty years, the city of Ypres in Belgium has held a popular “Cat Parade” that draws visitors from around the country. Kattenstoet, or the “Festival of the Cats”, is held once every three years and consist chiefly of parades featuring giant cat effigies, brass bands, marchers and people riding on horseback. Handpicked photos (fotos) and historical fact of weired & beautiful cat throwing festival called Kattenstoet. For the last sixty years, the city of Ypres in Belgium has held a popular “Cat Parade” that draws visitors from around the country. There are various legends about how the throwing of cats originated. One possibility is that cats were connected to witchcraft, and the throwing of
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