Présentation des Blancs Moussis - version anglaise

The  "Blancs Moussis"

un Blanc Moussi

In 648, Saint Remacle melts on the edges of Amblève a "bénédictine" abbey in a hamlet probably already existing. This abbey will ,during eleven centuries and half of existence, know an apostolic radiation, cultural and political extraordinary in all Europe of the time.

Towards the end of the Means-Age, manners of the clergy know a notorious relaxation. Thus in Stavelot it is not rare to see monks mixing with crowd at the time of the Laetare.

Well quickly, the new Prince-Abbot Guillaume de Manderscheidt will react and take sanctions against these monks who forget their religious duty. The "frondeuse population stavelotaine" was dressed, during the Laetare, with a white costume remembering monks and a hilarious mask with large nose.

Thus were born, towards 1502, the "Blancs Moussis de Stavelot". During following centuries, and to the last war, this tradition remains after a fashion.

le cortège du Laetare de Stavelot

In fact, the second starting of the "Blancs Moussis de Stavelot" goes back to 1947. The war is finished and Stavelot suffered much.  21 young people "stavelotains" decide to create the event: in March 1947, at the time of the first Laetare of post-war period, in front of a dazzled crowd, 21 "Blancs Moussis" went in the streets of the old city.

Consequently, the "confrérie des Blancs Moussis" is created and, under the providential impulse of Walter Fostier, a young journalist in the INR (belgian radio), become celebrated in all Europe.

Currently, the "Confrérie des Blancs Moussis de Stavelot" counts more than 200 members, has her own house, an old tannery entirely restored by her members, publishes a monthly newspaper, and invented the manufactures of confettis.

Visit the official site of the "confrérie folklorique des BLANCS MOUSSIS" of Stavelot

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