The origins of the Dunkirk Carnival date back to the beginning of the 17th century. The ship owners offered the fishermen, before leaving for six months of herring fishing in Iceland, a meal and a party. From this festival the “Visschersbende” (band of fishermen in Flemish) was born. It originally took place between Shrove Monday and Ash Wednesday marking the start of Lent, what we call the 3 joyous ones. Teachers participating in the Erasmus course were introduced to the different facets of this carnival. They were thus able to participate on Saturday in a “chapel” and a ball, then, on Sunday, in the throwing of herrings from the balcony of the Dunkirk town hall as well as in the Dunkirk ‘bande’ (the famous “Visschersbende”). The “codes” were transmitted to them (songs, disguises, history of the carnival) by teachers from Dunkirk.

This great moment of conviviality was perfect to end this week of training where sharing, self-discovery and group cohesion were the common thread. The foreign trainees quickly assimilated the particularities of this carnival and were able to quickly integrate into this local event. 

FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
FR24Co CAE Dunkirk’s Carnival- Discovery of a local ancestral tradition
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