{"id":"3022","t":"Stilt-Walker of Merchtem","t_s":-1,"tags":["3309"],"thumb":{"fid":"2971","styles":{"circle_medium":"circle_medium_2971","circle_mini":"circle_mini_2971"},"ext":"png"},"pics":["3021"],"loc":"3574","loc_map":-1,"body":"<p>Costume presented to mark the 50th anniversary of this Association. It was founded during the Liberation celebrations of 1945 that took place in the hamlet of Langevelde in the Flemish municipality of Merchtem. A stream known as the Molenbeek runs through Langevelde, and, as it frequently overflows, the inhabitants used to walk on stilts. The Stilt-Walkers of Merchtem take part in a great many folklore events in Belgium and abroad (see n\u00b0 585 and 700).<\/p>\r\n","fav":"0","fav_l":"0","don":"De Steltenlopers van Merchtem (Stichting Jan Vanderhasselt)","d_y":1995,"d_m":6,"d_d":17,"d_s":-1}