page_title: Folklore of Belgium
section_title: Brussels
hierarchical_section_title: Folklore of Belgium / Brussels
caption_attribution_description: The Ommegang of Brussels on 31 May 1615. The Infanta Isabella shooting the Grand Serment bird with a crossbow at the Sablon in Brusselslabel QS:Len,"The Ommegang of Brussels on 31 May 1615. The Infanta Isabella shooting the Grand Serment bird with a crossbow at the Sablon in Brussels" label QS:Lfr,"L'Ommegang de Bruxelles le 31 mai 1615. "L'Infante Isabelle tire l'oiseau du Grand Serment avec une arbalète au Sablon de Bruxelles""
context_page_description: The Folklore of Belgium is extremely diverse and reflects the rich legacy of cultural and religious influences which have acted on the region throughout its history, even before the establishment of the nation of Belgium in 1830. Much of Belgian folklore is unique to the region in which it is commemorated. Many aspects of folklore are manifested in public processions and parades in Belgian cities; traditions which are kept alive for the amusement of locals and tourists alike.
  The term folklore is used in Belgium in a much wider sense than in English, chiefly to denote all cultural events open to the public such as traditional festivals and parades. Excluded from folklore are individual traditions, like the celebration of Easter, food, and events that saw their start only recently, including music festivals such as I Love Techno.
context_section_description: The "Ommegang" is one of the most popular folklore festivals in Belgium, including 2,000 participants and many thousands of onlookers. The name derives from the old Flemish word "omme" meaning "around" and "gang" or "walk". It occurs every year in July in central Brussels and reenacts an event held in honour of the Joyous Entry of Emperor Charles V who was Crown Prince of Spain and Duke of Brabant into the city of Brussels.  The procession moves from the Grand Sablon to the Grand Place and features Knights and stilt-walkers.
caption: A depiction of the 1615 Brussels Ommegang
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