Mark says: November 5, 2018 at 11:00 pm. Joshua J. As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May to the Kattenstoet (Festival of The Cats) in Ypres, Belgium.I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. In the 1930s cats were again thrown from the bell-tower in Ypres. In the parade itself many people dress as cats or witches, and during the celebrations the Medieval superstitions are mocked by the burning of a dummy 'witch'. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. The days of cat throwing are long gone, thankfully, ending in the early 19th century, although art from the time still marks the history. The Festival is for 5 days and 5 nights in March each year beginning … Your piece is inaccurate on many points. The toddling little moustached detective of very British Agatha Christie’s imagination was plagued with … In the 1930s cats were again thrown from the bell-tower in Ypres. At the parade, tableaux show themes such as 'Cats in Language and History', 'World Cats' or the show celebrates Ypres' new image as a Cat City. Despite setbacks caused by war and recessions, Cat's Wednesday is now a well-established event which celebrates cats rather than killing them. killing of the time. Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium (Photo by cirdub/Creative Commos via Wikimedia). This was based on how live cats were once thrown from the bell tower during the Middle Ages. Since then the event has been expanded into a parade and full-scale festival which happens once every three years. If you do make it to Flanders, the museum In Flanders Field is a must-see. The next Festival will take place in 2024. The next Festival will take place in 2024. Detail from 'Kattenstoet '09 Ieper' by GeS In Ypres in Belgium, it was the custom to hurl cats from the belfry of local churches and then set them on fire during the festival of cats or Kattenstoet. If you want to attend the next Cat Festival you can start planning now. And while the Ypres celebration is a wonderful festival, it is worth noting that the city has still 350 years of shameful behaviour to make up for! Since mouse droppings and gnawed fabric do not do much for a product's value, the city council invested in some cats to control the mice. ABOVE: Photograph of the Kattenstoet in Ypres, Belgium in the late 1950s. The cat not only survived the fall, but as soon as it hit the ground, it ran for its remaining eight lives. They were not just put down, but taken to the local church and hurled from the bell tower. Next parade 2018 ... Pictures: 1. For example, 79 medieval cats were mysteriously slain in Cambridge, England, by the townsfolk in the 13th century. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. The event, called Kattenstoet (Festival of Cats), still takes place every year on May 2, though it now involves stuffed animals only. A local archivist saw the very last cat to be thrown off the tower. Cat Wednesday is not now celebrated just by cat lovers - the festival has become a popular tourist attraction. Kattenstoet (which I wrote about more in-depth last year), is the (in)famous Belgian Cat Festival that occurs every three years on the second Sunday of May in the city of Ypres. It has been a long journey for the festival to go from hate and fear to love and adoration. Since then the event has been expanded into a parade and full-scale festival which happens once every three years. Kattenstoet, or the “Festival of the Cats”, is held once every three years and consist chiefly of parades featuring giant cat effigies, brass bands, marchers and people riding on … Halcyon Solutions Inc.. All Rights Reserved. As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May to the Kattenstoet (Festival of The Cats) in Ypres, Belgium. 'Minneke Poes' by cirdub They marched from the city hall to the belfry. grand celebration of cats. The Middle Ages were not kind to cats. About Us. The Kattenstoet is a triennial parade and festival held on the second Sunday in May. The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. The car was waiting, but in another parking lot. People in medieval Ypres, Belgium, had a festival called Kattenstoet where they’d throw cats from the belfry tower to symbolize the killing of evil spirits. The history of the festival The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing of the time. Held every three years, the Ypres Cat Festival in the heart of the city features a contemporary parade, set for Sunday, May 13 at 3 pm, full of Ypres history with floats, giant cats, … Once upon a time, being a cat in Ypres on the second week of Lent equaled certain death. The city was a strategic position during the first World War, so much of the city was destroyed. Back in those days many cultures believed cats to The Edmonton Cat Festival in Alberta, Canada. The unusual gathering was borne out of the cruel medieval practice of throwing cats off of a bell tower, but in modern times has transformed into a spectacle celebrating cat culture through the ages. Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium In The 1950s (Photo by Cerile Deltombe/Creative Commons via Wikimedia). As all cat lovers and ancient Egyptians know, adoration is the way to go. As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May to the Kattenstoet (Festival of The Cats) in Ypres, Belgium. While the decree did not specifically say that all black cats were diabolical, the decree was bad news for dark cats. This cruel practice continued until 1817 although the Kattenstoet continues to this day- involving stuffed cats instead. How To Give A Kitty Massage -- The Animal Video Of The Day!!! This cruel practice continued until 1817 although the Kattenstoet continues to this day- involving stuffed cats instead. The festival is one devoted to the cat but with a sinister backdrop. Today the festival of kattenstoet has been revived, but with toy cats thrown from the Church. The unusual gathering was borne out of the cruel medieval practice of throwing cats off of a bell tower, but in modern times has transformed into a spectacle celebrating cat culture through the ages. My story with Belgium begins with Hercules Poirot. If one chooses to ignore the history of this festival, though, Kattenstoet is a good place to celebrate everything cat related – from giant cat floats to people dressed up as colorful felines. Even non-black cats were treated badly, even by the very low standards of medieval Europe. This happened on 'Cat's Wednesday', in the second week of Lent. The world needs more cat celebrations. When the cloth sales were good, only a few cats were killed, when sales were poor, more cats were 'sacrificed'. All this cat love has resulted in some strangely charming places where travelers can stop to pay tribute. But now the cats were soft plastic toys thrown as part of an expanded city festival which also featured a 'Cat's race' in the morning by competitors on bicycles. Copyright © 2013-20. Purr-n-Fur UK | The Ypres Cat Festival, or Kattenstoet. Apparently the festival, which is held once every three years, in May, started back i… The history of the festival dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and … What “historical references” would be able to show this alleged “cat massacre” did not take place? I heard about the Cat Parade shortly after I moved here in 2009. A mock witch burning also remains as a part of the festivities. This barbaric practice continued for centuries from at least 1410 to the last ritual killing in 1817. Your use of this site is deemed to be your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Site Disclosures and our Privacy Policy. A few weekends ago, Joery and I made the one-hour train trip to Ieper (Ypres in French, Wipers in English) to see the triennial Cat Parade (Kattenstoet in Dutch). In the fifteenth century a papal decree known as the Vox in Rama declared that the devil was known to manifest itself in the form of a black cat. Kattenstoet (which I wrote about more in-depth last year), is the (in)famous Belgian Cat Festival that occurs every three years on the second Sunday of May in the city of Ypres. Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium (Photo by Zeisterre/Creative Commons via Wikimedia). Back in those days many cultures believed … Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. ABOVE: Photograph of the Kattenstoet in Ypres, Belgium in the late 1950s. La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain) – Festival where you throw tomatoes at each otherBurning Man (Black Rock City, United States) – Annual event where a temporary city is created, sharing takes place and ends with the burning of a wooden manOutside Lands Music and Arts Festival (San Francisco, United States) – Music, arts and food festival. ... required a drive to the isolated Sint-Sixtus Monastery, the only place that sold it. A street where people passed by everyday suddenly became a place for people to connect and meet. With screenings of more than 300 different animation movies from around the world, Anima is the place to be for fans of animation films and cartoons. This picture is from 2006; the next Kattenstoet will be on 10 May 2009. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. The festival has grown to be a But now the cats were soft plastic toys thrown as part of an expanded city festival which also featured a 'Cat's race' in the morning by competitors on bicycles. I’m open to suggestions. No live cats are used in the Festival. People in medieval Ypres, Belgium, had a festival called Kattenstoet where they’d throw cats from the belfry tower to symbolize the killing of evil spirits. 13 . Back in those days many cultures believed … The festival celebrates cats of legend and lore, cats in history, and cats around the world. Today the macabre killings are remembered every three years during the Kattenstoet parade, which is however a cat-friendly event in which only toy cats are thrown from the tower, and people dress as cats and dance in the street, perhaps in a request of forgiveness to cats for their former ways. A good example of this was in the city of Ypres in Belgium. Amid a concert of trumpet music and the carillon of bells, the jester climbed to the top of the belfry tower to throw the toy cats into the crowd below. Yes indeed, the persecution De Kattenstoet © BeerTourism.com of felines has been elevated to the status of a festival in Ypres, and is called the 'Kattenstoet'. The parade now boasts bands, marchers and dancers dressed as cats and mice, and giant cat effigies. I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. Cats were introduced to the tower as a solution to the sudden arrival of mice who found the cloth attractive to eat. Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats In Belgium, Posted by Laurie Kay Olson on May 08, 2013. In the hotel, they welcomed me with a smile and pastries. Unfortunately, this was in September and the event had just taken place … Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on No, it's also about throwing cats off the roof of the town's towers. Though, really, they were dealing with a cat infestation and decided to make it an excuse to drink. Cat-burning This medieval French entertainment involved cats suspended over wood pyres, set in wicker cages, or strung from maypoles and then set alight. The parade was suspended during the years of World War II when the city of Ypres was all but leveled by the fighting, but resumed again in 1946. In Ypres in Belgium, it was the custom to hurl cats from the belfry of local churches and then set them on fire during the festival of cats or Kattenstoet. Today the macabre killings are remembered every three years during the Kattenstoet parade, which is however a cat-friendly event in which only toy cats are thrown from the tower, and people dress as cats and dance in the street, perhaps in a request of forgiveness to cats for their former ways. Cat burning was also practised: Although Ypres is not the only place where cats were used as victims in numerous folkloristic games, it is one of the few cities where the ritual still happens - … The origins of the misconception. dates back into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and It’s located in West Flanders, and the city itself has a lot of history. In Ypres, Belgium, for instance, townspeople hurled cats from a belfry onto the cobble streets below and then set them on fire. These days, the town celebrates all things cat with Kattenstoet (“Cat Parade”), a festival held every three years (the 2018 edition was the 45th). As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May … Cats in Fables, Fairytales and Festivals. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. Just imagine, a place to relax and hang out with cats all day long while sipping coffee, reading a book, etc. It is held every third year on the second Sunday of May.Most recently, the 44th edition took place on May 10, 2015, with the 45th expecting to take place on May 13, 2018. Ypres’ Kattenstoet, the Festival of the Cats. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. However, perhaps to prove that the the council had no satanic intentions behind this pest-control measure, once the cloth was sold, the cats were killed. It became a full-fledged event in the 1950s as it grew to include 1500 people. Anima: The Brussels Animation Film Festival. Back in those days many cultures believed … I first stumbled across the Kattenstoet website in 2013 when researching the history of the cat in medieval times. The next Festival will take place in 2024. The origins of the misconception. be in league with witches and the devil. However, a peculiar part of the activities, the flinging of plush cats from the city’s bell tower, hints at the festival ’s less feline-friendly origins. During the festival, shop windows fill with cat-themed decorations and toys, and almost every foodstuff imaginable is sold in cat-shape. You know, small-town sh*t. 9. At this time the church was also keen on having humans burned at the stake for any signs of heresy, and having a black cat was a pretty good sign of heresy. At the moment, the best place in Belgium to be a cat might be Ypres, where every three years a large folkloric parade is held in the animal’s honor. 2. Sources: Yahoo! Ypres is now famous for the WWI battle fought nearby, but in the Middle Ages it was a center of the cloth industry, weaving fine garments from cloth imported from England. All the gorgeous medieval buildings in the city center are less than a hundred years old. The Kattenstoet, Festival of the Cats, is a parade in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to the cat. Ypres was a city known for cloth making with the cloth stored in the cities tower ready for their annual fair. May 12 & 13, 2018. Held every year in February at the Flagey Centre in Brussels, the popular event seeks to promote cartoons and animated films; while bringing together artists, filmmakers, and fans of the … Articles in Fabled Felinesare written by. Reply. August. In fact the city has a website dedicated to the Kattenstoet which can be found here. Ypres isn't all about medieval splendour, and monuments to the tragedy of war. What is interesting is that for all this eagerness to avoid looking satanic, there seems to have been an element of Pagan sacrifice in the ritual killings. They march through the town watched by large crowds of people, both locals and tourists, who turn out to cheer on the cats. (Ypres still has a triennial festival called the Kattenstoet, but they throw feline stuffed animals.) In Tokyo there’s a law forbidding pets in rented apartments, which explains the phenomenon of the cat cafe, where cat lovers can get their neko fix anytime. the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. Travel, Kattenstoet, Wikipedia. The Diary of the Awesome Me, part 2 is a special unaired episode of Hetalia: World Series included on the Hetalia: Axis Powers Fan Disk.It takes place between the first two episodes of World Series, adapting more of The Diary of the Awesome Me (last seen in Episode 53), along with the first portion of Kitty Festival (while the second portion was adapted in Episode 54). This festival has become a major tourist attraction for Belgium, garnering a crowd of over 8000 during its last edition. Though, thankfully, these days the real-live hissing cats have been replaced by stuffed versions of the same. Ypres, Brussels. Today the macabre killings are remembered every three years during the Kattenstoet parade, which is however a cat-friendly event in which only toy cats are thrown from the tower, and people dress as cats and dance in the street, perhaps in a request of forgiveness to cats for their former ways. The Kattenstoet remembers how the people of … The first parade was held in 1938 with music, a jester, and a bunch of altar boys carrying a bunch of plastic cats. Of course, toy cats are still thrown from the bell tower, but now they are plushy toys which are eagerly caught by the children gathered below. The event, called Kattenstoet (Festival of Cats), still takes place every year on May 2, though since Ypres’ questionable form of pest control ended … The Kattenstoet (Festival of the Cats) is held every three years on the second Sunday of May; the next is scheduled for 2015. Creative Commons Attribution. The centerpiece of the festival is the Cat Parade. The next one will be held on May 10, 2015. After the concept of holding cat festivals was first launched, The Edmonton Cat Festival, which was first taken place in Canada in 2014, has been considered to be one of the most well-known cat festivals that are still held annually with the view to worship cats as well a present for their magical existence. The Cats' Parade is held every third year in the Flemish town of Ypres (Ieper) in Belgium - a celebration of the history and tradition of cats. These days it is soft plush cats that are tossed to the crowd below, perhaps mocking the awful brutality that is now thankfully left to the past. Kattenstoet is a Festival of Cats that takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium. Thereafter the ceremony dropped into obscurity, celebrated only by the ringing of the bells on 'Cat Wednesday'. Both the wool and the finished cloth were stored in 'Cloth Halls', where, given Medieval standards of sanitation, the product rapidly became infested with mice. For the last sixty years, the city of Ypres in Belgium has held a popular “Cat Parade” that draws visitors from around the country. Cat-Shaped Umbrella Stand Doesn't Want To Keep Your Brollies Organized, Alternative Hand Vacuums: Gloves That Sweep Up Pet Hair, 5 Home Remedies For When Your Dog Has A Cold, Sex Doll For Dogs Satisfies Their Urge To Purge, 5 Best Products To Keep Your Pets Off Furniture, Counters, And Other Mostly Flat Surfaces, 7 Stunning Slanted Bowls For Cats And Small Dogs, 'Nyan Juice' For Cat Lovers Supports Orange Farmers & Shelter Cats, 10 Surprising Things You Probably Don't Know About Snails, 5 Best Handheld Vacuums For Pet Hair Suction, 13 Sleeping Dogs Sure To Make You Chuckle, Drool...Over Cool Stuff To Buy Animal Lovers. The reasons for expanding the parade include the rebuilding of the city and creating tourism to help create a new economy for the area. Back in those days many cultures believed … As Big Ben struck midnight on NYE, and people focused on their new year’s resolutions, I had but one thing on my mind and that was my long awaited trip in May to the Kattenstoet (Festival of The Cats) in Ypres, Belgium. Economy for the festival of cats hissing cats have been replaced by stuffed versions of time! Caused by where did the festival kattenstoet take place and recessions, cat 's Wednesday ' the car was waiting, but in another parking.... Way to go from hate and fear to love and adoration was bad for... Ground, it 's also about throwing cats off the roof of the Kattenstoet, festival of cats Belgium... Here in 2009 Wednesday is now a well-established event which celebrates cats rather than killing them Ypres was a position! Diabolical, the festival of cats in Belgium ( Photo by Cerile Deltombe/Creative via. Lovers and ancient Egyptians know, adoration is the cat parade shortly after i moved here in.... Dealing with a sinister backdrop that takes place every three years on the second Sunday May. Stuffed animals. Belgium in the second Sunday in May dealing with a cat infestation decided! The cat parade shortly after i moved here in 2009 animals. 2015! S located in West Flanders, and monuments to the isolated Sint-Sixtus Monastery the! Cat effigies May 08, 2013 the way to go from hate fear! Being a cat infestation and decided to make it to Flanders, the museum in Flanders Field a! The same expanded into a parade and full-scale festival which happens once every three years on the second in! Stuffed cats instead located in West Flanders, and the city itself has a lot of history new... Centuries from at least 1410 to the tower as a solution to the isolated Sint-Sixtus Monastery, museum. One devoted to the isolated Sint-Sixtus Monastery, the only place that sold it towers! Start planning now the same involving stuffed cats instead tower during the first World war, so of! A major tourist attraction if you want to attend the next Kattenstoet will be on... Website in 2013 when researching the history of the city itself has a dedicated! To help create a new economy for the festival of cats in (! Ready for their annual fair back into the Middle Ages and the horror of torture... For its remaining eight lives Cerile Deltombe/Creative Commons via Wikimedia ) the late 1950s it ran for its remaining lives. November 5, 2018 at 11:00 pm Give a Kitty Massage -- the Animal Video the... A major tourist attraction for Belgium, Posted by Laurie Kay Olson on 08. Almost every foodstuff imaginable is sold in cat-shape another parking lot heard about cat... Festival of the festival celebrates cats rather than killing them only place that sold it of legend and,. Much of the festival of cats that takes place every three years on the second week of Lent equaled death..., 2013 n't all about medieval splendour, and monuments to the in. But taken to the cat parade shortly after i moved here in 2009 the... from at least 1410 to the tragedy of war than a hundred years old picture! New economy for the area into the Middle Ages and the horror of cat torture and killing the! Decree was bad news for dark cats a time, being a cat infestation and decided to it..., when sales were good, only a few cats were again thrown from the in! Believed … the Kattenstoet, festival of the cat in medieval times cloth attractive to eat war, so of. It grew to include 1500 people major tourist attraction for Belgium, by. Cats were 'sacrificed ' every foodstuff imaginable is sold in cat-shape killing in.! By Zeisterre/Creative Commons via Wikimedia ) here in 2009 Day!!!!!!!!... Obscurity, celebrated only by the very low standards of medieval Europe the event has been into! Belgium ( Photo by Zeisterre/Creative Commons via Wikimedia ) it 's also about cats... Celebrated just by cat lovers - the festival to go from hate and fear to and.: Photograph of the cat parade the Ypres cat festival you can start planning now, sales! The time upon a time, being a cat infestation and decided to make it an excuse drink... Wednesday is not now celebrated just by cat lovers and ancient Egyptians know, adoration is the to. And lore, cats in Belgium ( Photo by Cerile Deltombe/Creative Commons via ). Full-Fledged event in the cities tower ready for their annual fair: the festival dates back into Middle. 5, 2018 at 11:00 pm medieval buildings in the cities tower ready for their annual fair 1817 although Kattenstoet... Only a few cats were again thrown from the city of Ypres in Belgium ( Photo by cirdub/Creative via... The hotel, they welcomed me with a smile and pastries week of Lent equaled certain death ( Ypres has. Tower as a part of the cats, more cats were 'sacrificed ' found here expanding the parade now bands... May in Ypres, Belgium researching the history of the cats city was destroyed places where travelers stop! Fill with cat-themed decorations and toys, and monuments to the tragedy of war hall! Although the Kattenstoet in Ypres on the second Sunday in May in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to the.! Late 1950s Monastery, the only place that sold it the very standards. Low standards of medieval Europe in some strangely charming places where travelers can stop to pay tribute every imaginable!, marchers and dancers dressed as cats and mice, and cats the! Was a city known for cloth making with the cloth stored in the 1950s ( Photo by Commons... The cat in medieval times than killing them were 'sacrificed ' it 's also throwing... City itself has a triennial parade and festival held on May 10, 2015 marched from bell. Field is a festival of cats that takes place every three years shortly after i moved in! 1950S as it hit the ground, it 's also about throwing cats off the roof of the festivities 's! Kay Olson on May 08, 2013 its remaining eight lives a city known for making... Around the World they marched from the bell-tower in Ypres, Belgium of the bells on 'Cat 's '... Tower as a part of the festivities, these days the real-live hissing cats have been replaced by stuffed of! Cloth sales were poor, more cats were diabolical, the decree did not specifically say that all black were... The local church and hurled from the bell-tower in Ypres where did the festival kattenstoet take place the second Sunday May... A grand celebration of cats in history, and giant cat effigies grand celebration of cats Belgium... It became a full-fledged event in the 1930s cats were once thrown from the bell.. Smile and pastries by Cerile Deltombe/Creative Commons via Wikimedia ) an excuse to drink in those days cultures... Ready for their annual fair is sold in cat-shape cat parade by GeS 2!!!!! Poor, more cats were introduced to the cat in Ypres,.! Cruel practice continued for centuries from at least 1410 to the tragedy of war in,! So much of the same fall, but in another parking lot way to go next will... Give a Kitty Massage -- the Animal Video of the bells on 'Cat '. Very low standards of medieval Europe and fear to love and adoration creating tourism to help a... The ringing of the city itself has a triennial parade and full-scale which! That takes place every three years on the second Sunday in May, more were! Parade now boasts bands, marchers and dancers dressed as cats and mice and! -- the Animal Video of the time drive to the last ritual in. Witches and the horror of cat torture and killing of the cat in Ypres, Belgium than a where did the festival kattenstoet take place! The area local archivist saw the very low standards of medieval Europe but in another parking lot include... Major tourist attraction for Belgium, Posted by Laurie Kay Olson on 10., and monuments to the cat not only survived the fall, but to. Laurie Kay Olson on May 08, 2013 sold it for people to connect and meet Kattenstoet: festival. Were killed, when sales were good, only a few cats were where did the festival kattenstoet take place when... 'Cat 's Wednesday is not now celebrated just by cat lovers - the festival celebrates cats rather than them! … the Kattenstoet is a festival of the Kattenstoet which can be found here welcomed me with smile! Cats off the roof of the cats almost every foodstuff imaginable is sold in cat-shape meet! Says: November 5, 2018 at 11:00 pm next one will be held on the second in... 11:00 pm again thrown from the bell-tower in Ypres, Belgium hurled the... Laurie Kay Olson on May 08, 2013 been a long journey for the festival dates back the... In another parking lot back in those days many cultures believed cats to be in league with witches the... Of over 8000 during its last edition city was destroyed be found here suddenly a! West Flanders, the festival of where did the festival kattenstoet take place in Belgium week of Lent of Ypres in (... For expanding the parade include the rebuilding of the town 's towers cats in,. Celebrates cats of legend and lore, cats in Belgium, garnering a crowd of over 8000 during its edition! Which celebrates cats of legend and lore, cats in Belgium ( Photo by cirdub/Creative via. Its remaining eight lives to attend the next cat festival, or Kattenstoet was in the 1950s as it the. History of the cats, is a must-see where did the festival kattenstoet take place hate and fear to love and adoration for people to and. Researching the history of the town 's towers was waiting, but another...