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* Folklore - The Vielsalm "Macralles" - The legend of Gustine Maca - The legend of the Church of Beho - European Walk for Memory and Friendship (MESA) - The "Sabbat des Macralles" - Blueberry festival - Jazz & Blues Festival - Raspberry Festival - Meeting of the Blueberry Brotherhood - The Let There Be Rock Festival - Gourmand walk - Grand assembly of witches - "Noël du Vin et du Terroir" - Christmas activities and decorations |
* Folklore
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The Vielsalm "Macralles"
The legend of Gustine Maca One
day, some young people were out looking for blueberries, a wild
fruit that constituted a resource for many in the region. They went
looking in a place called "Bonalfâ". Since the winter
that year had been much longer than usual, it was hard to find any
blueberries. Having
searched in vain for hours, they decided to go home. Imagine their
surprise when, as they were coming back from Bonalfâ, they ran into
Gustine Maca, an old woman with a reputation for casting spells. She was carrying a basket filled to the brim with blueberries. The youths were so astounded by what they saw they couldn't take their eyes off the basket. It was a most extraordinary encounter, and they were simply amazed to see the old woman's basket brimming with the fruit they had so much wanted. Seeing them so astonished, the old woman smiled and invited them for a glass of pecket and some "tchatcha", or crushed blueberries. The youths hurriedly accepted, but unknown to them, the blueberries were "bemacralled", and the poor young people were turned into Macralles. From that day on, they have taken part in the sabbat. The legend of the Church of Beho
No matter what Herman did to urge it on, the noble war horse would not budge. The confused count, seeing this obstinate refusal as the will of God, immediately erected a church not far from the place where the miracle had occurred, to house the shrine and the relics. There are quite a number of relics preserved in Beho : hair of the Holy Virgin, hairs from the beard of Saint Peter. |
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End
june: Four
days, four stages. Stage 4 and finish in Vielsalm. Information:
www.marche-mesa.be - [email protected] Office of secretary+32 (84) 24 60 17 July
20th:
The "Sabbat des Macralles" The "Sabbat des Macralles" is held during the evening in the public park of Vielsalm. Festivities begin with a hunting horn concert, then the Macralles arrive and unveil the keys to the city for the Mayor. Everyone then goes to a place called Tiennemesse, where the "sabbat" ceremony takes place.
July
21st: Blueberry festival: began being celebrated in the region in the 1960's, thanks to a few people who wanted to honour this local fruit. Since then, the inhabitants of Vielsalm have continued the tradition. In the morning of the festival, a farmers market is held in the centre.
First
weekend of August: Jazz
& Blues Festival at Ferme Madelonne Jazz Club in Sterpigny
(Gouvy). Concerts
and jazz evenings throughout the year. See the Gouvy internet site for the programme.
2nd
weekend of August:
First
Saturday of September:
Gourmand walk at the end of September
At
the end of October, every 2 years ( even-numbered years)
2nd
weekend of december:
In December, Christmas activities and decorations
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Website: www.vielsalm-gouvy.org
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