Roofplay...

This fanfare, the "Harmony Play after Work" from Koolkerke, a municipality in the suburbs of Bruges, regaled the inner city with its music. One has to admire the inspired names such associations choose to call themselves. "Play after Work" : the question is, what do they consider to be play and what do they consider to be work?

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Tomorrow is THE day for all joggers and runners from Bruges and from afar. Once, every year, they can run, unhindered, straight through the city. Entertainment is provided along the way of the race in order to make it as pleasant as possible for the runners... and the spectators.
 

19 more days !!!
In he meantime, here is the scene depicting the story of Josef and Pharaoh of Egypt. Josef landed here, sold by his brothers. The Pharaoh, having heard of Josef's visions, hired him as counsellor and eventually, Josef became the second most important man in Egypt. Here we see Josef's brothers coming back, driven by hunger. Josef recognizes them and gives them help.

This old gypsy-waggon belongs to Madame Manda, professional fortune-teller. Mister Manda is leaning against her advertisement board, covered press-cuttings.

Mmm, .... delicious fritters..

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The first signs of the May Fair are here already. And, this year, it really will be a MAY fair. Not very many people around yet, but - hey, it has not really started. It was barely 6:60 in the morning when I came upon this sight. If you are planning to try this one, know that it goes up 48 maters and... tumbles head over heels. I prefer to keep my two feet on the ground.

On Sunday, more than three thousand participants will be running through the streets of the city . The "Straight through Bruges" race is one of several beautiful initiatives of Bruges. Some runners train themselves especially for this race, while some others have a bet on that they will do the race to the finish-line, then some run in groups or for their school, often because they were, more or less, pushed one way or another to do so. While walking along the Ramparts during the last weeks, quite a few runners were seen to be training. Too bad the winter lasted so long - most people likely did not have a chance to get themselves into form as well as they did last year. 

"The Wandering Human". This scene represents Abraham and his wife Sara who, as ordered by the voice of God, go in search of a new and better land. In earlier times, Bruges boasted a number of guilds. Every craft had its own, as, for example, the Bakers Guild, the Butchers Guild, to name just these two. Some have kept the tradition and each guild usually takes on the responsibility for creating and acting out of one of these tableaux. This particular one fitted the Brokers Guild like a glove, precisely because when Bruges was still a cosmopolitan business centre, they already acted as Middlemen.

Did I get hit by a windmill?
I can't seem to remember where I live.
Well, I went to that rollicking Rock'n Roll fest.
Good night anyway and see you tomorrow.

(Conversation from a tipsy rocker...)




(dronkemanspraat)

A rock competition, organized by the socialists.  A snapshot taken during a break in the session.

Might there be one of those beautiful red carnations (symbol of the socialists) for our own lapel?

By way of calling it an evening, here are some ambiance-pictures of the May 1st celebrations in Bruges. Mind you, those were all taken after the rain and before the evening partying. As usual, Frank Van Acker is being honoured with offerings of flowers.

The four-day "Coco-laté" event is almost done. That the public was quite interested in the happening can be seen in this photo, taken saturday afternoon. There were moments of fierce shoving and pushing in order to partake of the Old Sint-Jan bourse.