The Interpretation Centre on the Carnival of Binche

The Carnival of Binche, internationally recognized in 2003 as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, is a unique folklore which each year brings together a whole community.

This Interpretation Centre differs from a conventional museum gallery. It invites the visitor to discover the fantastic world of the Carnival of Binche, its history, its actors, its customs and traditions by means of a multi-sensory experience.

This interactive exhibition displays the most beautiful pieces of the Museum’s collection, archive images never presented before, exclusive testimonials, audio clips, videos and immersive installations.

The diversity of the sources presented in the rooms of the Interpretation Centre depicts the historical path of the Carnival, the unique knowledge and skills it mobilizes, its particular festival calendar, but also the women’s place, the role of the Gille, the Paysan (Peasant), the Pierrot, the Marin (Sailor), the Arlequin (Harlequin) and the other emblematic actors involved in this folklore.

The tour shows the complexity of this Carnival. Although it attracts each year tens of thousands of spectators, the Carnival is actually lived within the intimacy of the families of Binche.

20 years of recognition!

On 7th November 2023, the Carnival of Binche celebrated the 20th anniversary of its recognition. On this occasion, the Interpretation Centre invites you to discover two new immersive installations:

• « Let’s dance with the Gilles » gives you the opportunity to put on the clogs of the King of Carnival and to dance like him on the cobblestones, accompanied by a snare drum and a bass drum.

• « The throwing of the oranges » game gives visitors young and old the opportunity to delve into the heart of the parade of Mardi gras afternoon, one of the Carnival’s highlights. Throw as many oranges as possible in record time towards the outstretched hands of the crowd !