Roundabout rue des demineurs

Lætare is a traditional festival that takes place during the Laetare festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This festival, one of the most popular in Wallonia, is also known for its protagonists: the Blancs Moussis.

Stavelot remained the capital of the principality of Stavelot-Malmedy for centuries. It was headed by a prince-abbot.

The latter is said to have forbidden his monks to interfere in the folk festivals. The Stavelotans, who appreciated the presence of religious at their feast, disliked this prohibition and decided to make fun of it in their own way. They first took part in a party disguised as monks until a new ban fell. So, appealing to their imagination, in 1502 they created a white costume with a hood, more discreetly evoking the monastic custom. This custom was finally approved by the prince-abbot. The Stavelotains added to this disguise a strange, impersonal mask, with a very long red and pointed nose: the Blancs Moussis (in French: those dressed in white) were born.

Willem Vandenameele