Diekirch kicks off Carnival with Cavalcade

Under showers of confetti, thousands of people flocked to Diekirch in ridiculous costumes to enjoy the 39th Cavalcade through the streets of the town on Sunday.

More than 50 decorated floats, 10 groups and organisations on foot and four music ensembles jollied their way in true carnival style, delighting the crowds along the way.

Some groups used the event to celebrate their own anniversaries.

The local Philharmonie took the opportunity to celebrate its 150th birthday by serving cake during the parade, while for the day the youth club from Heinerscheid relocated its festivities for its 50th anniversary for to the town.

Once the parade reached its destination in the town centre by early afternoon, the festivities and partying continued throughout the day.

Cavalcade photos

Cavalcade history

It was way back in 1870 when the first Cavalcade took place in the Grand Duchy and, indeed, in Diekirch with the theme "Exploration around the country of gluttony".

The revenue generated during the event should have been distributed to the poor.

Unfortunately, this great idea was not to be, as the Cavalcade's accounts ended up in the minus.

A few years later, the street carnival was revived in the town and somehow lasted until the end of the century.

However, in 1900, the Cavalcade stopped, and it wasn't before 1946 when Jacques Zenner, chairman of the Tourist Office at the time, brought the tradition back and up-to-date, calling it "Dikkricher Cavalcad".

After many interruptions, the event was eventually taken over on 25 February 1979 by the association ESD, and it continued without interruption, except in 1991 during the Gulf War.

Since then, the celebration has been taking place annually in Diekirch during the Carnival period, requiring 8-10 months of preparation.