The festivities began on Friday with the descent of the Dottignienne, the handing over of the keys to the town and the flight of the Phoenix of the Brotherhood of the Giant Carriers, which inaugurates the festival and extinguishes it on Monday, for one year. Meanwhile, invited by the Band, the crazy group from Liège “Les Gauff au suc” performed in the Foyer.
On Saturday, while the Brotherhood of the Giant Carriers animated the Plaza de la Resistencia with their wink, eight families participated in the first edition of the molkky tournament organized by La Prairie.
It was also the day of the Mamzelles and their carnival parade that took participants to a pleasant show.
a crazy sunday
Aubade of the Gilles de la main, breakfast on foot of the Brotherhood of Giant Bearers, jogging of the “10 km of the main”, presentation of medals and Gilles of honor; The morning program was full.
However, it is the afternoon procession that is always eagerly awaited for “the moment.” This year it consisted of a total of 44 tanks.
Associations, town schools, but also giants, majorettes and music bands threw caps, t-shirts and various gifts, without forgetting the tons of confetti that splashed the crowd that came en masse.
Among the numerous floats, for the first time, the public was able to discover the one at the Reposoir Saint-Antoine. Once a month, children from the Fedasil center visit the residents. “During these intergenerational and cultural exchanges, the young people with the elderly prepared a decoration for the festival float. These meetings are beneficial for everyone, here the young people are considered as helpers and the elderly are very happy to see them again,” reveals Yohann, the center’s facilitator.
New hairstyle for Dotto
The parade of the different giants always causes a sensation. Thanks to stylist Paméla Vanhonacker, Dotto sported completely new hair and mustache. And we will be able to greet him again during the procession of the lighters on Monday, September 25, organized by the Association of Merchants and Gilles de la Main.
There is no point in making a complete review of this Hand Festival, which enjoyed magnificent popular success. The launch of the “blue and red” hands had its friendly push, while the rondeau des gilles and its fireworks crowned the day.
