The Doudou of Mons: Resisting the Plague and Fighting the Dragon!
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The event held annually in Mons spans a week and comprises multiple traditional parts:
- Lowering the Saint Waldron Reliquary
- The Procession and the Car d’Or (Golden Carriage)
- Saint George slaying the Dragon.
The Doudou festival is fun but very busy. Do watch your pockets and be prepared for crowds and lots of noise.
At lunchtime on the Sunday, thousands of townsfolk help push the Car d’Or back up the hill to the Collegiate Church in one go, lest misery befall the City. During the medieval performance of Saint George battling and slaying the Dragon, an enormous crowd gathers and spectators all rush to grab hair from the Dragon’s tail for luck. There are waves of cheers when the Dragon is defeated and the costumes are a sight to behold.
The little Lumeçon is a mini version of this event and usually runs the following week. It is a more sedate event and the kids are able to join in.
Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.