Why Belgium Parades Its Giants

Introduction

One of the most distinctive features of Belgian folklore is that many of its legends do not stay on the page. They walk through town squares, tower above crowds and return year after year as living symbols of local identity. Across Belgium, giant figures, legendary horses and ceremonial dragons are carried through the streets in processions that blend folklore, civic pride, religious tradition and public spectacle. UNESCO has recognised several of these traditions as part of the shared heritage of “Processional Giants and Dragons in Belgium and France”, highlighting their importance as living community practices rather than museum pieces.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

What makes these traditions remarkable is that the giant or dragon is rarely just a parade object. Each figure represents a story that local people know, retell and actively maintain. In places such as Dendermonde, Mons and Antwerp, legendary beings have become emblems of the city itself, helping communities express continuity with their past while renewing those traditions for modern audiences.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

Giant Horses, Dragons and City Symbols

Belgian processional folklore grew from medieval religious celebrations, civic festivals and public pageants. Over time, oversized figures became a way to embody local stories in a form that everyone could see. Giants might represent biblical characters, legendary heroes, mythical animals, historic personalities or symbolic protectors of the community. Dragons often stand for danger, chaos or forces that must be overcome.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

Unlike many legendary creatures elsewhere in Europe, Belgian giants are not primarily creatures of fear. They are civic companions. Towns repair them, store them, parade them and celebrate their anniversaries. Their appearances are often accompanied by music, costumes, guilds and ceremonial roles passed between generations. UNESCO describes these figures as community symbols whose value lies as much in the social practices surrounding them as in the physical structures themselves.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

The result is a distinctive form of folklore in which stories are not merely narrated but physically enacted. The giant becomes a visible embodiment of local memory.

Dendermonde and the Legendary Horse Bayard

Perhaps the most famous giant animal in Belgian folklore is the Ros Beiaard, or Horse Bayard, of Dendermonde. The figure represents the magical horse Bayard from the medieval tale of the Four Sons of Aymon, a story connected to the wider cycle of Charlemagne legends. According to the legend, the extraordinary horse carried the four brothers to safety and possessed almost supernatural strength and intelligence.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

Dendermonde transformed this literary legend into a civic tradition. The gigantic horse appears in a major procession held only once every ten years. Four real brothers from Dendermonde ride atop the horse, representing the legendary siblings. The selection rules are famously strict, linking the performance directly to local families and reinforcing the idea that the legend belongs to the town itself.[Wikipedia]WikipediaRos Beiaard (DendermondeRos Beiaard (Dendermonde

The horse is carried by members of the historic Pijnders guild, whose role has become part of the tradition’s identity. During the procession, the giant horse appears to dance, rear and struggle against its handlers, turning a medieval legend into a dramatic public performance. For residents, the Ros Beiaard is more than folklore; it is a symbol of Dendermonde itself.[wikipedia.org]WikipediaRos Beiaard (DendermondeRos Beiaard (Dendermonde

The city also maintains a separate annual parade of historic giants, showing how giant traditions remain active even between the rare appearances of the famous horse.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgIntangible Cultural Heritage BelgiumIntangible Cultural HeritageBelgium - UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageOn the last Thursday of August, the three historical giants lndi…

Mons and the Dragon Battle

If Dendermonde’s great symbol is a horse, Mons is defined by a dragon.

The city’s annual Ducasse de Mons, often called the Doudou, centres on the Lumeçon, a ritual combat between Saint George and a dragon. The event forms part of a larger religious and civic celebration with roots reaching back to the Middle Ages. Although the battle is staged, it is treated with remarkable seriousness by participants and spectators alike.[visitmons.be]visitmons.beThe Doudou, the Ritual Ducasse of Mons.The collective recognition of the Ritual Ducasse as part of the UNESCO inscription "Proce…

The dragon in Mons is not presented as a monster lurking in the wilderness. Instead, it is a ceremonial figure that enters the city’s central square as part of a carefully choreographed ritual. Saint George eventually defeats the creature, symbolising the triumph of order over chaos and good over evil. Yet the drama is interactive rather than passive. Crowds traditionally try to seize hairs from the dragon’s tail, believing they bring good fortune. The audience therefore becomes part of the legend’s annual re-enactment.[Army]army.milCenturies of tradition marching through the heart of MonsMay 27, 2026 — 27 May 2026 — The dragon represents chaos and disorder, while…Published: May 27, 2026

An important aspect of the Doudou is its continuity. The tradition is transmitted through participation, family involvement and local memory. Heritage organisations in Mons emphasise that knowledge of the ritual has historically passed through oral practice and communal experience rather than through written scripts alone.[VisitMons]visitmons.beThe Doudou, the Ritual Ducasse of Mons.The collective recognition of the Ritual Ducasse as part of the UNESCO inscription "Proce…

The dragon’s significance therefore lies not only in the medieval story but also in its role as a living symbol of the city. Each year, the battle reaffirms a shared civic identity that links present-day residents with centuries of predecessors.[VisitMons]visitmons.beThe Doudou, the Ritual Ducasse of Mons.The collective recognition of the Ritual Ducasse as part of the UNESCO inscription "Proce…

Antwerp’s Giants and Legendary Figures

Antwerp offers a different example of how folklore becomes civic symbolism. The city is famous for legends associated with giant figures such as Antigoon and Lange Wapper.

Antigoon appears in the city’s foundation legend. According to later retellings, he was a giant who demanded tolls from travellers and cut off the hands of those who refused to pay. The hero Brabo defeated him and threw the giant’s hand into the river, a story often linked to popular explanations of Antwerp’s name. Although this legend exists in stories, monuments and civic imagery, it also belongs to the wider tradition of giant figures that helped cities express local identity.

Lange Wapper, meanwhile, is a trickster giant associated with Antwerp folklore. Unlike the ceremonial dragon of Mons or the heroic horse of Dendermonde, he functions more as a legendary character who could change shape, frighten late-night wanderers and mock human pride. His image continues to appear in festivals, public art and local storytelling, showing how giant traditions can survive even when they are not tied to a single UNESCO-recognised procession.

Together, these figures demonstrate that Belgian giant folklore is not limited to one model. Giants may be heroes, villains, jokers, protectors or civic ancestors, depending on the needs and imagination of the community.

How Communities Keep the Figures Alive

The survival of Belgian giant and dragon traditions depends on continuous community involvement. The figures themselves often require specialised maintenance, storage, repair and skilled handling. Equally important are the social networks surrounding them: guilds, volunteers, musicians, costume makers, schools and families. UNESCO highlights that the knowledge involved is transmitted through participation and collective practice.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

Many towns maintain museums, archives and educational programmes connected to their giant traditions. Mons created the Musée du Doudou to interpret the dragon battle and associated legends, while Dendermonde preserves the memory of the Ros Beiaard through exhibitions, songs and local heritage initiatives.[European Commission]ec.europa.euEuropean CommissionThe Musée du Doudou values the ritual Ducasse de Mons…In 2005, the Ducasse de Mons has been recognised by UNESCO as…

Children are often introduced to the traditions long before they become participants. In Mons, younger generations even perform their own versions of the dragon battle. Such practices ensure that the folklore remains something people do rather than merely observe.[VisitMons]visitmons.beThe Doudou, the Ritual Ducasse of Mons.The collective recognition of the Ritual Ducasse as part of the UNESCO inscription "Proce…

Why the Giants Still Matter

Belgium’s processional giants and dragons survive because they fulfil several roles at once. They preserve old legends, strengthen local identity, provide public entertainment and create a sense of continuity between generations. Unlike folklore that survives mainly through books or recordings, these traditions depend on movement, performance and collective participation.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

The giant horse of Dendermonde, the dragon of Mons and the legendary figures associated with cities such as Antwerp show how folklore can become part of civic life. They are reminders that in Belgium, some of the most enduring legends are not hidden away in ancient texts. They return regularly to the streets, where entire communities help bring them back to life.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgGeorge fighting the dragon is staged in Mons; Bayard, the horse from the Charlemagne legend, parades in Dendermonde; and Reuze Papa and R…

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Endnotes

1. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/processional-giants-and-dragons-in-belgium-and-france-00153

2. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processional_giants_and_dragons_in_Belgium_and_France

3. Source: visitmons.be
Link:https://www.visitmons.be/en/unesco/article/the-doudou-690772

4. Source: visit.dendermonde.be
Title: Visit Dendermonde The Horse Bayard
Link:https://visit.dendermonde.be/en/the-horse-bayard

5. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Processional giant
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processional_giant

6. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Ros Beiaard (Dendermonde)
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ros_Beiaard_%28Dendermonde%29

7. Source: ich.unesco.org
Title: Intangible Cultural Heritage Belgium
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en-state/belgium-BE?info=activities-with-the-patronage

8. Source: Wikipedia
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendermonde

9. Source: Wikipedia
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducasse_de_Mons

10. Source: army.mil
Link:https://www.army.mil/article/292828/centuries_of_tradition_marching_through_the_heart_of_mons

Published: May 27, 2026

11. Source: ich.unesco.org
Title: france FR
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en-state/france-FR?call=film&id=41684&include=film_inc.php&width=700

12. Source: youtube.com
Title: Processional Giants and Dragons in Belgium and France
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbvmiyhEws

13. Source: ec.europa.eu
Link:https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/belgium/le-musee-du-doudou-valorise-la-ducasse-rituelle-de-mons-et-la-legende-de-saint-georges

14. Source: postcardsunesco.blogspot.com
Link:https://postcardsunesco.blogspot.com/2012/12/belgium-france-processional-giants-and.html

Additional References

15. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/irmi.kern.92/posts/figures-of-giants-or-large-animals-first-appeared-in-many-european-cities-at-the/10237290972949589/

16. Source: hotelmons.eu
Link:https://www.hotelmons.eu/en/surroundings/doudou-mons

17. Source: canonvanvlaanderen.be
Link:https://www.canonvanvlaanderen.be/en/events/the-bayard-steed-of-dendermonde/

18. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/visitflanders/posts/in-the-flemish-city-of-dendermonde-one-legend-stands-taller-than-the-rest-the-ho/1368499668641612/

19. Source: brusselstimes.com
Link:https://www.brusselstimes.com/1895770/the-pride-of-dendermonde-and-one-of-belgiums-hidden-winter-beers

20. Source: vehi-mercatus.com
Title: ducasse mons doudou 2026
Link:https://vehi-mercatus.com/market-calendar/ducasse-mons-doudou-2026/

Published: May 2026

21. Source: discoverbenelux.com
Link:https://www.discoverbenelux.com/dendermonde-2/

22. Source: discoveringbelgium.com
Link:https://www.discoveringbelgium.com/the-doudou-of-mons/

23. Source: ipmtoday.com
Title: ros beiaard 2022
Link:https://ipmtoday.com/art-coffee-break/ros-beiaard-2022/

24. Source: youtube.com
Title: Medieval Jousting Thrills Crowds At Brussels’ Ommegang Festival
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBM80SEfTEE