Halle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – For the carnival celebrations in Halle, it is announced that the new senior prince for the next carnival season will be former alderman Christophe Merckx, who is 59 years old.
At the age of 53, Merckx devoted 30 years of his life to politics. Still, this position was not a dream job, as he initially protested before being appointed for the job, expecting a peaceful retirement after politics. However, he ultimately embraced the opportunity to contribute to the carnival celebrations, stating, “I am happy that I can still play a small role during the carnival.” Besides him, Anita De Greef will become a senior princess, which is a new position for both that person and him in the sphere of their community.
The former alderman Christophe Merckx will serve as senior prince of Halle during the carnival following his appointment, together with Anita De Greef as the senior princess. Senior princess becomes Anita De Greef.
“It was my son-in-law who asked after the call whether that role was something for me,”
She said.
“I was supposed to become a senior prince couple with my boyfriend in 2013. But he died suddenly, and the dream did not come true. Now I feel ready to do it anyway. Carnival is in the genes of the family, although I myself have never been an active member of a carnival group.“
The Order of Seniors has recently lost substantial membership, and Merckx and De Greef’s roles have arisen at this critical time.
“I hoped that after 30 years of politics, it would be a bit quieter, but I am happy that I can still play a small role during carnival,“
He said.
The new senior chairman, Marcel Vanderstraeten, a former senior prince, added that the year 2024 was challenging as the organisation parted ways with four of its members: Henri De Bondt, the chairman Jos Vanden Houden and board member Charly Van Heymbeeck. Furthermore, eight other members resigned, considering age or health complications, reducing their membership by half. Concerning the selection of a new senior prince couple, Vanderstraerten pointed out the challenges in the process because until the last call was put out, the feedback received was poor. Luckily for them, with the right persistence, they managed to recruit the likes of Merckx and De Greef to fill these positions.
“The responses were lacking, after which the Order launched a final appeal. “We were already starting to despair, but in the meantime, everything has fallen into place“,
Vanderstraeten added.
Merckx said that he once hesitated about coming into this position after politics, but he agreed to do so after the pressure from the community. He said he would like to join the carnival activities because he has always looked forward to the carnival event. The same applies to De Greef, who was appointed to this position; her son-in-law persuaded her to think about becoming a senior princess after her initial plans to be a mother-in-law to her late boyfriend were aborted in 2013. Together, they will be officially introduced as the senior prince couple on March 2 during a grand spectacle in ‘t Vondel.
The cultural significance of the Halle Carnival
Carnival holds a unique position on the cultural timeline and is loved by the inhabitants of the region, including Halle. This event is a way of celebration, but at the same time, it is a social exercise whereby people of different ages are encouraged to assemble and exercise togetherness within the society.
The Order of Seniors is responsible for arranging such celebrations, and the paper shows that these events continue to be joyous and diverse even despite challenges like decreasing numbers of participants. It is characteristic that the recent failures are related to the organisation’s work with elderly people and its desire to involve them in local activities. For towns like Halle, now experiencing such a transition in terms of its demography, it is imperative to stimulate the participation of the younger generation in the practice of culture.
Besides, the carnival season opens feelings associated with reflection on local roots while simultaneously introducing change through new leaders, such as Merckx and De Greef. Their appointment also signifies continuity of tradition besides giving people who may have relegated carnival activities to the background a new lease of public affirmation of their culture. Before they take the position, both leaders are supposed to encourage participation in their community during the festive season.
