Bal du Rat mort
The Bal du Rat mort ("Ball of the Dead Rat")[1] is an annual masquerade ball held in Ostend, Belgium in the Kursaal, Ostend casino.[2] The event was first held in 1898.[3]
History
[edit]In 1898, a group of members of the Cercle Cœcilia from Ostend travelled to Paris. Joined by Anglo-Belgian painter James Ensor they visited Montmartre night-spots such as the Moulin Rouge and a small venue known as "Le Rat Mort". On their return to Belgium, they decided to host a ball named in its honour.[4]
Costume themes
[edit]Recent Bal du Rat mort costume themes include
- 2009: "Arabian Nights"[5]
- 2010: "Out of Africa"[5]
- 2011: "Land of the Rising Sun"[3][5]
- 2012: "French cancan"[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Moser, Nick (10 December 1964). "The Passing Parade". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "Belgium - Festivals and events". Rough Guides. Penguin Random House. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ a b Jauquet, Dominique (25 February 2011). "Bal Rat Mort kleurt Japans". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "Le bal du rat mort, sous le signe de james Ensor" (PDF). Bpost. 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d Jauquet, Dominique (2 December 2011). "Bal Rat Mort in teken van 'French Cancan'". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bal du rat mort.
- Official website (in English)
- Official website (in French)
- Official website (in Dutch)