Belgian Giants

In 2019, during the Bruz Beers Belgian brewery tour, we were spending a pleasant, sunny afternoon at Brasserie Dupont. As we were walking from the brewery to the tasting room, we happened upon an amazing sight – a group of nine Giants in the courtyard . . . and they were dancing to music from a local marching band!

Let me clarify that the giants are not living but represent fictional or real beings, and come from medieval rites. They vary in size. The ones we saw at Dupont were about 12 to 15 feet tall, but the largest can be as large as 36 feet high! They are made of papier mâché, fabric and wicker and have an internal structure that allows the Giant to be carried on the shoulders of crew members, who make the Giants move and dance.

The tradition of Processional Giants in Belgium and France goes back to the middle ages, with the oldest Giant going all the way back to 1457. Originally brought out for religious celebrations, they often depicted saints or characters from the Bible. Over time, the Giants symbolized freedom, independence and opposition to centralized power. They came to represent the spirit of the communities they are from, and are an immense source of pride. They have been inscribed by UNESCO on the lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Today, there are more than 2,500 Giants in Belgium, with 125 in the Brussels region and 58 in the city of Brussels. Depending on the size of the town, numbers vary, but even small towns and villages have at least a couple. Although Giants are part of the folklore of 75 countries, Belgium has more than any country other than Spain. They are part of a number of big festivals in Brussels, Ath, Mons, Dendermonde and Mechelen.

To say the least, the Belgian Giants are a sight to behold! If you make it to Belgium, do some research to see where you might find some Giant activity.