Aalst Carnival: ‘Pretty Lady’ Takes Center Stage Over Voil Jeanet

Lailuma Sadid
Credit: VRT

Aalst ( Brussels Morning Newspaper ) – The Aalst Carnival is set to feature a new poster that replaces the traditional ‘Voil Jeanet’ with a ‘pretty lady’ for this year’s festivities. Current modifications demonstrate a dual effort to modernise the carnival visuals without losing its cultural essence.

The Aalst Carnival is set to feature a new poster that replaces the traditional ‘Voil Jeanet’ with a ‘pretty lady’ for this year’s festivities. Modernisation proposals represent the efforts to transform the carnival image without altering its ethnic heritage. The ‘Voil Jeanet’ tradition involves men dressing as women, often in exaggerated and humorous costumes, and has been a staple of the carnival for years. Organisers decided to revise images for two reasons: they wanted present-day audiences to stay engaged while maintaining respect for heritage traditions. 

“I was approached in a sandwich shop about the fact that the figure of a ‘voil jeanet’ was central again,” Acke explains. “Couldn’t you have drawn a beautiful lady? During Aalst Carnival, the focus is often on the raw side of the festival: men who dress up as ugly figures. Well, I accepted the challenge and resolutely went for a beautiful, feminine figure on the poster,” says the poster’s designer.

The culture-filled Aalst Carnival faces regular public criticism because of the way previous events depicted their themes. The introduction of the ‘pretty lady’ poster signifies a shift towards inclusivity and sensitivity in representation. The organisers of the event proclaimed this visual update belongs to an extensive project to improve carnival offerings alongside efforts to rectify problematic imagery from the past.

What is the historical context of the Aalst Carnival?

The Aalst Carnival celebrates its nine-decade story by presenting specialised humorous themes to its audiences. In 2010, Aalst Carnival secured its place on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage before being considered for delisting because certain elements offended people. About 100,000 attendees participate annually in what has become Belgium’s biggest carnival. Through elaborate floats and various performances, Planitvarate van Aalst Loop presents public commentary while celebrating local traditions. 

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Lailuma Sadid is a former diplomat in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Embassy to the kingdom of Belgium, in charge of NATO. She attended the NATO Training courses and speakers for the events at NATO H-Q in Brussels, and also in Nederland, Germany, Estonia, and Azerbaijan. Sadid has is a former Political Reporter for Pajhwok News Agency, covering the London, Conference in 2006 and Lisbon summit in 2010.
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