What are the Krakelingen?
The Krakelingen is a historical festival at Geraardsbergen. The Krakeling is a kind of a biscuit. It's a circular shaped bread of about 10 cm in diameter. The shape refers to a historical bread that symbolizes the cycle of the seasons or the cycle of life. The historical festival is celebrated at the end of winter, Usually on the last Sunday of February. It is a typical Dutch sweet, but also in Scandinavia it is a well-known biscuit. We don't eat them because we throw them from the top of the Oudenberg at 8 pm. On the same day and at the same place the Tonnekensbrand takes place in the evening. The Tonnekesbrand was already organized in 1939 by the city authorities. Even in the city accounts this fire festival was already called an ancient tradition. The festival became member of the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage Flanders and entered on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO humanity in 2010.
Why is it called a Krakeling?
The Krakeling refers to a cult bread that symbolizes the cycle of the seasons or the cycle of life. The festival starts at the end of winter and it continues till the beginning of spring. The Tonnekensbrand is a ancient fire festival that symbolizes the end of winter and the return of light and life. It is held at the last day of the Krakelingenfestival. The bread got its name "krakeling" because it is a crunchy biscuit.