Butchers’ Days (last Sunday in September) B-6870 Saint-Hubert The Butchers’ Guild, created in 1591, was eliminated at the time of the French Revolution. It was successfully reorganised in 1958. On the Guild’s celebration day, butchers from all parts of Belgium and neighbouring countries, as well as butcher schools, walk in the street wearing their work clothes, apron and white hat, sharpening steel on belt, carrying their Patron on their shoulders. Apparently, according to the legend, some butchers were amongst those who killed Saint Lambert (Bishop of Liege succeeded by Saint-Hubert). When Hubert having forgave them, the butchers decided to choose him as their protector. 10.15 am: Parade of the guilds in the city 11am: Main mass, solemnly announced by the Saint-Hubert hunting horns. International Agricultural Show (Last weekend in July) Rue des Aubépines 50 B-6800 Libramont Tel : +32 61 23 04 04 Fax : +32 61 23 04 09  info@foiredelibramont.com Web site : www.foiredelibramont.com The agricultural show of Libramont-Chevigny is one of the main events of the country of Saint-Hubert, lasting for 5 days. Every year, around 150,000 people come to see the technical innovations of the agricultural world. Some superb animals are shown, mostly horses and cattle. However, the events which are without question the most spectacular, are the draught, harness and hauling horses, and horses contests. Forest display (Mondays and Tuesdays on each uneven year): in the course of two days spent in the forest, visitors will discover the materials used for the cultivation of trees and for logging. Furthermore, in line with tradition, hauling horses will be there for demonstration and contest purposes. In addition, another section dedicated to hunting will present the preparation of a feeding ground for game, as well as the various means of forest protection. International Hunt and Nature Day (1st week end in September) B-6870 Saint-Hubert Tel : +32 61 61 30 10 Fax : +32 61 61 54 44  info@saint-hubert-tourisme.be Web site : www.tvlux.be/joomla/index.php/component/content/article/188/5957 Programm: On Saturday * From 10 AM until 6 PM: various activities on the topics of Hunting and Nature. Craft market. * 6 PM: Mass celebrated in the basilica with the participation of the hunting horns band. * 8.30 PM: Grand concert performance by the Heidelberg’s hunting horn blowers, and by choirs and instrumental bands. Sunday * From 10 AM until 6 PM: craft market. * 11 AM: Main solemnly mass: hunting horn blowers and blessing of the bread rolls. * After the main Mass: blessing of the animals and other activities: horn blowers, folklore group, falconry display etc. * 2.30 PM: Departure of the great historical parade. Thirteen centuries of history will parade through the main street of the city in a real living fresco representing the life of the city (creation of the monastery, Saint Hubert’s conversion, transfer of Saint Hubert’s remains, Pierre Joseph Redouté, etc.: with 500 extras in colourful historical costumes, and around thirty floats and bands). A bit of history… Hubert, a nobleman from Aquitaine, was born around 650. While on a hunt he saw, between the antlers of a stag, the shining image of Jesus crucified. Following this extraordinary event, he converted to Christianity and became the bishop of Maastricht. As a great evangelist, he founded the monastery at Andage (later Saint Hubert) around 710. He died in 727 at Tervuren and was buried in Liege. On 3rd November 743, he was sanctified. On the 30th September 825, his relics were transferred to the Andage monastery. Since then, his cult has witnessed an extraordinary diffusion throughout Europe, and become the focus of countless pilgrimages. Practical advice: Visitors are advised to leave vehicles in one of the car parks located in the outskirts of the city, and to make your way to the city centre on foot. On Sundays, access routes to the city are blocked, and everyone is asked to make a modest contribution towards the organised activities. Also, due to the large audiences for mass, people wishing to attend religious celebrations are asked to arrive reasonably early at the basilica’s entrance. We wish to remind you at this point that you cannot bring pet animals into the basilica. Les d'jins d'amon nos-ôtes (week-end du 21 juillet) Fourneau Saint-Michel (Musée de la Vie Rurale en Wallonie) B-6870 Saint-Hubert Tel : +32 84 21 08 90 Fax : +32 84 22 19 36  info@fourneausaintmichel.be Web site : www.fourneausaintmichel.be Folklore and crafts activities: Customary summer meetings, The d'jins d'amon nos-ôtes spread over three days. The many activities, craftsmanship, trades and occupations of days gone by make the houses and workshops of the Museum of rural life in Wallonia come to life. Each year a different theme is presented. To find out about this year’s theme and programme, please refer to the diary. Musical July (every week-end in July) rue du Moulin 2 B-6870 Mirwart (Saint-Hubert) Tel : +32 84 46 60 97 Fax : +32 84 37 85 60  juillet.musical@province.luxembourg.be Web site : www.juilletmusicaldesainthubert.be Each year, classical music is honoured in July, each weekend offering two concerts in prestigious surroundings (Saint Hubert’s basilica, Saint-Gilles’ Church, Converserie, ...). For this year’s programme, please refer to the diary. Pilgrimages Basilique de Saint-Hubert B-6870 Saint-Hubert In 837, following a violent storm which befell the region of Saint Hubert, the inhabitants vowed to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of the Ardenne’s holy Patron. Very quickly, Saint-Hubert came to the fore as the Patron saint of the forest, the hunt and of the animals he would protect from rabies. As early as the 10th Century, pilgrimages were well organised: a calendar was set up for the parish communities coming to worship Saint-Hubert and asking for the protection of their family, their properties and their harvests. Very quickly, Saint-Hubert came to the fore as the Patron saint of the forest, the hunt and of the animals he would protect from rabies. At present, two great pilgrimages of medieval origin and character remain: The Andenne Pilgrimage (Pentecost Sunday, even years). This pilgrimage dates from 1696. The pilgrimage is done because of a vow uttered by the inhabitants of Andenne when the country was gripped by plague. Far from being an easy walk for tourist, it is quite an athletic feat: 93.2 miles (150 kilometres) in 3 days! The Lendersdorf pilgrimage or the Great Pilgrimage of the Germans has the reputation of being the last great international walking pilgrimage of Europe (Germany, Great Duchy of Luxemburg, Belgium). It crosses the Eifel, the Oesling and the High Ardenne. Lendersdorf is a small German locality situated around 99.5 miles (160 km) from Saint Hubert. The pilgrimage lasts eight days, from Ascension Day to the following Thursday. Saint Hubert’s Day (3rd November) B-6870 Saint-Hubert Tel : +32 61 61 30 10 Fax : +32 61 61 54 44  info@saint-hubert-tourisme.be A memorial of the sanctification of Saint-Hubert. On the programme: *From 9am (city centre): craft market and various activities. *At 11am (basilica): main mass solemnly announced by the hunting horns band, followed by the blessing of animals (in front of the basilica). *At 1pm, the equestrian rally starts. A bit of history … Succeeding Lambert to the bishopric of Liege, Hubert died on 30th May 727 and his body was carried to Saint-Peter’s Church, which he founded. In 743, his remains were sanctified, but the saint’s relics were destined not to remain in Liege. The Bishop Walcaud decided in 825 to transfer the relics to Andage in Ardenne, becoming known as Saint Hubert. In 727, at the time of Saint Hubert’s death, his stole was buried by his side. However, in 743 during the move, the stole was removed from the shrine and, according to a rite attested since the 9th century, the healing of people suffering from rabies multiplied. It was still being mentioned at the end of the 18th century (4,700 cures between 1st January 1845 and 12th October 1860). This miraculous stole is one of the jewels now kept in the Saint-Hubert basilica. Saint-Hubert’s day is not celebrated on 30th May, day of his death, but on 3rd November, day of his sanctification. Samonios (week-end of November the 1st) Musée des Celtes, Place Communale 1 B-6800 Libramont Tel : +32 61 22 49 76 Fax : +32 61 22 49 76  info@museedesceltes.be Web site : www.museedesceltes.be At the roots of Halloween... The entry into the cold and dark season marked the beginning of a new year for the Celts. The granaries are full of abundant harvests, and the banquets can start. But this night, between 31st October and 1st November, is an open door onto the world of gods and spirits … This Celtic celebration is known in Ireland by the name of Samain, and on the continent by the name of Samonios . In the 9th century, it was christianised as All Saints Day (1st November) and All Souls Day (2nd November). Later, in the United States, it was anglicised into Halloween. The Samonios activity week aims to emphasise our regional heritage around All Saints Day and to discover our Celtic inheritance, all in a festive atmosphere fit for Halloween. Shrove Tuesday’s Great Bone Fire B-6971 Tenneville Tel : +32 84 45 54 26  tourisme@champlon.info On Shrove Tuesday, huge bone fires are lighted in many villages, particularly in the district of Tenneville. The tradition of these great bone fires is deeply rooted in Luxemburg. Pancakes and Mulled wine enliven the evening. Walks for hearing deer mating calls B-6870 Saint-Hubert Tel : +32 61 61 30 10, +32 84 45 54 26 Fax : +32 61 61 54 44, +32 84 45 24 26  info@saint-hubert-tourisme.be, tourisme@champlon.info The tourist offices of Saint-Hubert and Tenneville organise forest walks, aimed at discovering a little known phenomenon: the deer mating call. The deer mating call season lasts from mid-September until mid-October.