On the 2nd Sunday of May, an unusual procession occupies the streets of Ypres (Ieper), a small town near the French border. The Kattenstoet, which literally translates to 'the Cat Parade,' is fully dedicated to felines. It takes place once every three years.
The procession unites around 2,000 people in masquerade costumes of cats, mice, witches and sorcerers, cartoon and fairy-tale characters, etc. The majority of floats depict cats and reflect local legends and the history of Ypres. The most impressive participants of the parade are Ypres’ giants. Goliath, medieval characters, and male and female cats are among the giants that walk side-by-side with dancers and musicians through the streets of the town.
The crowd moves to city hall (Cloth Hall) when the parade ends. A city fool throws toy cats from the bell tower into the crowd. Later, a mock witch burning occurs: the crowd sets a puppet witch on fire. The fest continues with numerous concerts and performances around the town.
Kattenstoet 2024 Program
The Cat Festival will start on Saturday, May 11, with family-friendly activities at 6 pm. Pedaleando Hacia el Cielo or Pedaleando, which means ‘cycling in heaven,' is an aerial performance with a mix of cinematic images, light, song, dance, and live music, which sets off at 10:30 pm. On Sunday, May 12, the highlight of the show is the Parade, which kicks off at 3 pm, following a Cat throw from the belfry at 6:15 pm. Over the years, the parade has featured a few recurring themes with established catwalk values.
Tickets
Grandstand tickets for the Cat Parade have been sold out since the beginning of April 2024; however, tickets may become available again. That’s why the organizers are starting a waiting list.
Festival History
The first Cat Parade took place in 1938. What started as a small event is now known country-wide. A small Cat procession, featured with music and the jester, and by nine boys, each carrying a plush cat, went from the Town Hall to the belfry. Children threw plastic cats at a children's party there first.
Nearly 50,000 spectators join the celebration. The origins of the parade are not clear. Numerous legends behind this tradition date back to medieval times. The most popular version claims that during the Middle Ages, citizens used to torture and throw cats from the towers. Cats were considered to have some relation to witchcraft, and the killing of cats equated to the destruction of evil spirits.
