The Bal du Rat mort ("Ball of the Dead Rat")[1] is an annual masquerade ball held in Ostend, Belgium in the Kursaal, Ostend casino.[2] The event was first held in 1898.[3]
History edit
In 1898, a group of members of the Cercle Cœcilia from Ostend travelled to Paris. Joined by Anglo-Belgian painter James Ensor they visited Montmartre night-spots such as the Moulin Rouge and a small venue known as "Le Rat Mort". On their return to Belgium, they decided to host a ball named in its honour.[4]
Costume themes edit
Recent Bal du Rat mort costume themes include
References edit
- ^ Moser, Nick (10 December 1964). "The Passing Parade". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "Belgium - Festivals and events". Rough Guides. Penguin Random House. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ a b Jauquet, Dominique (25 February 2011). "Bal Rat Mort kleurt Japans". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "Le bal du rat mort, sous le signe de james Ensor" (PDF). Bpost. 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d Jauquet, Dominique (2 December 2011). "Bal Rat Mort in teken van 'French Cancan'". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
External links edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bal du rat mort.
- Official website (in English)
- Official website (in French)
- Official website (in Dutch)