Mons - Le Lumeçon

On the Sunday after Whitsun a strange festival takes place in Mons; it is called "Lumeçon" and has its origins in a processional game which dates from the end of the 14th C. and which is associated with St George. The participants are St George in the uniform of a cuirassier and a dragon called "Doudou", 10 so-called "Chinchins" who carry St George, as well as eight "devils", seven "wild men" and 12 "white men". They all form up in a procession which punctually at 12:30 p.m. leaves the Collégiale Ste-Waudru for the Grand-Place to the sounds of the "doudou" folk song. The dragon, over 9m/30ft long, is carried by the "white men" and moves his tail over the spectators with the help of the "wild men". The fight between St George and the dragon begins when they reach the Grand-Place and the "Chinchins" also fight each other. Finally the saint is declared the winner by two pistol shots and the "Chinchins" drag the "dead" dragon into the courtyard of the city hall.

On the morning of the same day there is also a procession of the "Car d'Or" when the relics of St Waltrud are taken in procession in a golden coach.