Gilles

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For the town in France, see Gilles, Eure-et-Loir.

The Gilles are the oldest and principal participants in the Carnival of Binche.

There are around 1000 men Gilles, some as young as 3 years old, who all wear the traditional costume of the Gille.

They go out on Shrove Tuesday from 4h00 AM until late hours and dance to traditional songs.

In 2003, the Carnival of Binche was proclaimed one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

[edit] External links (in french)

• Official site of the carnival of Binche
• International Carnival & Mask Museum in Binche
• Traditional tambourines
• The oldest group of Gilles