Ducasse d’Ath: Controversy, Transformation, and Festivities

2023-08-27 19:33:00

Considered by some to be racist, the presence of this controversial figure of Athois folklore had caused the ducasse to be removed by Unesco from the list of intangible heritage of humanity.

In 2022, in order to ease these tensions, it was decided that the character would no longer wear his chains or the nose ring, so many attributes referring to the slavery era. A citizens’ commission had also been set up.

In its conclusions, it had recommended the removal of the “Savage” in favor of a “Devil”, its original name.

On Saturday, the mayor, Bruno Lefebvre, was even delighted that “the way to a solution” and “consensus” might be found at the end of these heated debates.

Sunday, around 7:30 p.m., while the festivities were still in full swing in front of more than 50,000 people, the “Savage” descended to the boos of the crowd inside his boat.

While observers expected him to come out transformed into a “Devil”, the “Savage” reappeared under a fire of red smoke with the same controversial finery, to the applause of the public.

The Savage appeared with his ring and (a little) red under his eyes: is that enough for the commission? ©EdAThe “Sauvage” at DucasseThe “Sauvage” at DucasseThe “Sauvage” at DucasseThe “Sauvage” at Ducasse

The festivities of the Ducasse d’Ath will continue on Monday with the walk of the giants in town. At 5:00 p.m., the parade of the Sainte-Cécile brass band and the majorettes of Moulbaix will take place on the Esplanade, before a hot air balloon flight scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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