Announcement of the first Bal du Rat mort in 1898
The Bal du Rat mort, 1968

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

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

Recent Bal du Rat mort costume themes include

References

  1. ↑ Moser, Nick (10 December 1964). "The Passing Parade". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Belgium - Festivals and events". Rough Guides. Penguin Random House. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 Jauquet, Dominique (25 February 2011). "Bal Rat Mort kleurt Japans". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Le bal du rat mort, sous le signe de james Ensor" (PDF). Bpost. 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Jauquet, Dominique (2 December 2011). "Bal Rat Mort in teken van 'French Cancan'". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
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