page_title: Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand
hierarchical_section_title: Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand
caption_attribution_description: Nederlands: Geraardsbergse krakelingen of mastellen
context_page_description: Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand are the names of annual centuries-old festivities in Geraardsbergen. The summit of the event is the Krakelingenworp at the top of the Oudenberg hill. At the same day and place the Tonnekensbrand has place in the evening. The double festivity was inscribed in the Inventory of Immaterial Cultural Heritage of Flanders in 2009, and UNESCO's lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.
  The oldest saved city account of Geraardsbergen, of 1393, already lists the costs for the Tonnekensbrand. At that time this fire festival was already organised by the city council. Still in the city account, this firefeast was already called a centuries-old custom. Since that time there is continuous evidence of both Tonnekensbrand and Krakelingen in the town accounts of Geraardsbergen. This double feast still contains pre-Christian elements that may originate from the Celtic period such as fire, live fish, bread and the time of the party. The Tonnekensbrand belongs home in a broader tradition of pre-Christian firefalls and symbolizes the end of winter and the return of light and life. In addition, there are also Christian elements, such as the role of the pastor-dean.
context_section_description: Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand are the names of annual centuries-old festivities in Geraardsbergen. The summit of the event is the Krakelingenworp at the top of the Oudenberg hill. At the same day and place the Tonnekensbrand has place in the evening. The double festivity was inscribed in the Inventory of Immaterial Cultural Heritage of Flanders in 2009, and UNESCO's lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.
  The oldest saved city account of Geraardsbergen, of 1393, already lists the costs for the Tonnekensbrand. At that time this fire festival was already organised by the city council. Still in the city account, this firefeast was already called a centuries-old custom. Since that time there is continuous evidence of both Tonnekensbrand and Krakelingen in the town accounts of Geraardsbergen. This double feast still contains pre-Christian elements that may originate from the Celtic period such as fire, live fish, bread and the time of the party. The Tonnekensbrand belongs home in a broader tradition of pre-Christian firefalls and symbolizes the end of winter and the return of light and life. In addition, there are also Christian elements, such as the role of the pastor-dean.
  The kringle (Dutch: "krakeling") that is thrown, also called mastel in Geraardsbergen, is a ring-shaped sandwich of about 10 cm diameter. The shape refers to a cult bread and symbolises the cycle of seasons or life. The party is celebrated at the end of winter, usually on the last Sunday of February.
caption: Geraardsbergen kringles or "mastellen"
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