Alice Adderley
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Britain announces biggest increase in defence spending in decades
Every year for around the last six centuries, the Krakelingen Festival has seen costumed locals and dignitaries parade through the town towards a 100-meter-high hill called Oudenburg. At the top of the hill, the mayor, the priest and town administrators, dressed as druids, throw thousands of ring-shaped bread crackers, known as Krakeling, onto the crowd below.
Global News Podcast
Britain announces biggest increase in defence spending in decades
The round-shaped roll is said to symbolize the seasons or the cycle of life. But before they embark on this tradition, the dignitaries have to drink a small living fish from a 400-year-old silver cup of wine. It's thought to symbolise the transition from winter to spring, as the gudgeon, a small freshwater fish, rise to the surface of ponds after winter, as spring begins.
Global News Podcast
Britain announces biggest increase in defence spending in decades
But it's now been banned because of new animal welfare legislation. Costumed locals protested against the change at this year's event held on Sunday, holding up banners saying, I want fish. But Ben Weitz, the Vice Minister President of Flanders in the Flemish Parliament, says it's time to respect the law and move on.
Global News Podcast
Britain announces biggest increase in defence spending in decades
However, this Sunday the town's mayor joined the protesters and said Flanders must take into account cultural historical arguments and that he hoped the law would be overturned. But animal rights campaigners are adamant that the ban should be upheld and say traditions are no excuse for cruelty to animals.