Belgian stilt walkers to participate in Hue Festival for the 5th time

The Royal stilt walkers of Merchtem participating and performing in Hue Ancient Capital in previous Festivals. Photo: Festival

Accordingly, at Hue Festival 2024, the Royal stilt walkers of Merchtem will participate in performances at the “Colors of Culture” street festival on June 8th and 10th, promising to bring visitors colorful and exciting performances and parades on the streets.

The tradition of stilt walking in Belgium has appeared since the early 14th century, in Merchtem region, where frequent floods occurred in winter, and people in the area chose to get around on tall poles to avoid getting wet. Gradually, stilt walking became one of the unique folk cultural features of the people of Merchtem in particular and Belgium in general. Hidden behind the art of balancing on 4-meter-high stilts lies a cultural history spanning hundreds of years of human survival.

Wherever it goes, the troupe always attracts a large number of people and tourists. Photo: Festival

After 1945, to celebrate the liberation of the country, artists came up with the idea of wearing costumes printed with the image of the Belgian tricolor flag and walking on stilts of different lengths to perform. From that successful performance, the Stilt Walkers of Merchtem (De Steltenlopers van Merchtem) of the Kingdom of Belgium was born.

Over nearly 80 years, the “stilt walking artists” of the troupe have performed throughout Belgium and in countries around the world. “Stilt walking” has become a distinctive and world-famous cultural symbol of Belgium. The troupe has participated in the world’s largest cultural and sports events such as the Opening Ceremony of 1992 Winter Olympics, 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000... Especially in 1995, the troupe was granted the title “Royal” (Koninklijke).

Impressed by the hospitality and enthusiastic response of the audience at Hue Festivals in 2008, 2010, 2014, and most recently in 2018, Hue Festival 2024 will be the 5th time the Royal stilt walkers of Merchtem participates in and performs in Hue Ancient Capital.

In recent Festivals, the street festival program with the participation of many art troupes and artists from both within and outside the country has been one of the eagerly anticipated events of the Festival. Art performances on the streets have created a rich cultural diversity, contributing to the characteristic features of the Hue Festival.