Students of Liège: St. Nicholas

Have you recently been approached by someone wearing a lab coat, asking your for money?  Allow us to explain...

Photo credit: ULg

There are several institutions of higher-learning based in Liège.  It is a popular destination for Erasmus students because it is known as a city that embraces students with open arms, meaning even if you don't speak much French as a student arriving here on exchange... you'll probably still be invited to the parties.  Of which there are MANY.

Photo credit: micheldelamotte.be

Every autumn many students attempt to get 'in' to various student 'fraternities'; they can be seen this time of year throughout the city wearing their white lab coats complete with decorations of fresh marker drawings and scrawls.

Photo credit: ULg

These lab coats quickly become not so fresh and white as the students participate in various hazing rituals and parties.  We have been told by more than one old 'fraternity' member that a student is never supposed to wash the lab coat no matter what has happened to it, no matter what has been spilled (or thrown) upon it.

Photo credit: bruxelloise.be

Older citizens of Liège mostly smile and remember their student-days when they catch sight of a group of youngsters involved in one of the many rituals and celebrations, which brings us to the students and St. Nicholas.

Photo credit: ULg

Traditionally December 6th is the day children in Belgium are treated with gifts for the day of St. Nicholas.  Around the beginning of December, the lab coated students can be seen in public places asking for pocket-change.  The change the students collect will be used to help subsidize their last bit of partying party before the end of semester examination period begins, and so this ritual of asking for change is a students way of asking the public to spoil them a little for St. Nicholas, too.

Photo credit: ULg

Tchantches and I have the personal philosophy that if someone is entertaining while remaining friendly and polite, we will give a little change.  If they are particularly witty in their banter or if they are highly entertaining, we give extra.  After all, it's important to know how to ask nicely for what you want in life.  And knowing how to do so with finesse isn't something the schools always teach!

La fête de la musique

What could be better than a celebration of music?  How about a city-wide celebration of music with free concerts?

Annually in the month of June, "La fête de la musique" happens in Liège.  For several days free concerts may be found all about the city, including a wide variety of bands and musical genres.  Most performances are on outdoor stages, though there are a few indoor venues used during the fête, where space may be limited.

The listings for concerts are numerous, and so we're at a loss regarding how to cover them.  The website for the fête is fairly navigable though, and offers up listings that can be sorted by music type, or venue, or by date, whichever works best for you.  It is a French site, but poking around and finding what you're looking for is still relatively simple.

http://www.fetedelamusiqueliege.be

The Muguets of May Day.

Like in many countries of Europe, Belgians have a day off on May 1st, this being recognized as a labour holiday.

But there is another annual event strongly linked to May 1st here in Belgium, and that has to do with "les muguets":

otherwise known as "Lily of the Valley" to you and I.

If you find yourself here on May 1st, you will see people all over the city with baskets or buckets of Lilies of the Valley, offering to sell you a small bouquet that includes a few sprigs and a rose (usually for around 2 Euro) or a simple sprig or two (un brin) for one Euro or less.  It is tradition here to offer Lilies of the Valley on May 1st to those in your life that you wish happiness and good luck.

This dates back to 1561, the year when King Charles the 9th decided to offer Lilies of the Valley to all the ladies of his court.  The gesture was passed among members of the court, and became an annual tradition where the flowers came to be the symbolic bringer of good spirit, good wishes, and good luck.

In French, something that embodies these sentiments is called a "porte-bonheur", (a bringer of good things.)  While we feel they are dainty and smell lovely, Nanesse does find it a little peculiar that they are seen as a "porte-bonheur" since the flowers, leaves and stems of the plant are toxic if ingested, (which would not make them a bringer of good things if given to very small children or pets!)

If you are visiting at this time of year, why not take part in this tradition and offer a "brin" (small bouquet) to a friend or family member?

The Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Do you like cycling?  Are you a fan?

We aren't.  BUT, we know that we are in the minority here in Belgium, where cycling is one of the preferred sports.  People go nuts for it here, and tomorrow is the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which is apparently one of THE BIG races of the European cycling calendar, happening every year at the end of April.

Tchantchès tells me that it is considered to be one of the last big ones before the start of the Tour de France, so people are already frothing at the mouth with speculation over the Tour, along with their regular excitement at attending a very old and established race in the world of cycling.  Today the excitement was visible and audible in Liège, with people decked out in racing jerseys on their own bikes, and accents from around the world speaking about tomorrow's race.

A world famous cycling race in my own backyard...who knew?  Not me.  But if you've arrived here because you Googled it, you probably did.

Unfortunately I can't tell you much about the race, other than to say that I (now) know that though the race is already known to be quite hilly and a true test of stamina, there is a section of the race that is known for it's difficult series of 5 hills that all fall within the same 30 kilometre stretch (close to the end of the race, to boot,) and that though one of those hills was missing last year (due to needed road-work) it has been put back in this year.  Before I make myself look like any more of a ninny, I'll direct you to Wikipedia if you want historical information about the race, and to The Tour de France organization's coverage of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which helpfully provides those wanting to check the race out with a detailed course-map and the approximate times the race ought to be passing by given locations during the race.