Merchtem

The Royal Stilt Walkers Merchtem are world famous and intangible heritage in Flanders.

The association of the Merchtem stilt walkers dates back to 1945. Our country was flooded by liberation celebrations, including in Merchtem on 6 June. The set-up was simple: a liberation procession in which every district in the municipality would do something. The Stilt Walkers originated in the hamlet of Langevelde. In the past, the Molenbeek flooded during the winter. As a result, residents who went to church or school had to make a detour of two kilometers, while otherwise they only had to walk five hundred meters. And so the use of the stilts was introduced, which allowed them to walk through the flooded area. It's hard to say when this usage started, but in the history books stilt walking goes back to the 14th century.

HLN - Het Laatste Nieuws