Unesco recognises Belgium’s travelling fairground culture

Funfairs from Belgium - and France - have now joined Unesco’s list of "intangible cultural heritage".

Reaching this list shows that Unesco recognises the unique character, cultural values, lifestyle and knowledge of the fairground community.

“Intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of increasing globalisation," Unesco said in a statement.

"Having an idea of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities is useful for intercultural dialogue and encourages respect for other ways of life."

To date, more than 700 items, including crafts, dance, wood, processions, masks and religious practices, from communities in more than 140 countries, have been recognised as intangible cultural heritage by Unesco.

The dossier on fairground culture was originally submitted by Belgium and France in 2021. The decision was made at Unesco's intergovernmental committee in Paraguay earlier this month.

Brussels state secretary for heritage Ans Persoons welcomes that the application has finally been successful.

“Fairground culture is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation,” Persoons said.

“Heritage is much more than just buildings - it is also about cherishing our evolving customs and traditions. Fairground culture is a perfect example of this living heritage.”

Fairground culture in France and Belgium is rooted in the medieval traditions of travelling acrobats and carnivals. It was not until the late 19th century that fairs evolved into their current form, with food stalls, games of chance and merry-go-rounds.

In Belgium, fairgrounds in Brussels (the summer Foire du Midi), Liège (in October) and Antwerp (the Sinksenfoor festivities from mid-May until June) are the most famous.

There are around 850 family-run businesses in the country’s national fair community according to Belga – some 330 in Wallonia, 75 in Brussels and 440 in Flanders, employing about 7,000 people.

At Brussels’ Christmas market, Plaisirs d’Hiver, fairground employees and families that have been in the business for generations, including fifth-generation Patrick and Fabienne De Corte, who run the Friture De Corte chip stand.

“Before, we were not well regarded,” Fabienne told RTBF. “People lumped us together and considered us stateless,” as 90% of fair workers live in caravans all year round.

The image of fairground workers is changing for the better, she said, as “fairground workers have opened up a bit more to the media. Thanks to them, we’ve been able to explain our lives and as a result we’re less mysterious. And now, the icing on the cake, we’ve been recognised by Unesco.”

A little further on at Place Sainte Catherine, Stéphanie, who runs a merry-go-round, and has always worked in fairs, is also delighted that fairground culture, her life, the culture she loves, is now on Unesco’s heritage list.

“I hope my daughter will be a fairground worker too,” she told RTBF. “Meeting people, travelling from town to town... for her, it’s much more than a job. It is also, and above all, a way of life, a culture of living.”

Indeed, for the De Cortes, whose three children all decided to follow in their footsteps, going to school for two days a week and learning the trade on site for the rest of the week, it is the “most beautiful job in the world”.

“There is always a party atmosphere when you arrive in a town or village to set up shop,” Fabienne added.

“It’s happiness and you give happiness. I’m a seller of happiness,” Patrick said.

In 2021, in recognition of these traditions and customs passed on through families, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation said funfairs should be recognised as a masterpiece of "oral and intangible heritage".