At the Pré de la Fadaise, boys no longer tumble over girls...

This country festival is recognized as one of the oldest in France, and takes place in Bourg Saint-Bernard in the Haute-Garonne region.
It dates back to 1211, during the Albigensian Crusade, when the armies of Simon de Montfort laid siege to Lavaur.
Legend has it that the only son of a wealthy widow, captured during the fighting, was freed by the young men of the town.
To thank them, the widow offered the village's youth an equestrian festival in a meadow she owned, with the wish that this event be celebrated every Whit Monday.
In 2011, the Fête du Pré de la Fadaise celebrated its 800th anniversary with a grand medieval festival.

The population dressed up in costumes and enjoyed a wide range of activities, including a “Sarrazinois” encampment, knight fights, chain mail making and, of course, a medieval meal where over 400 villagers feasted in the Grand-Rue. Never before has Bourg Saint Bernard welcomed so many visitors. A stele commemorating the event has been erected at the Pré de la Fadaise.

 

The festival today...

Over the centuries, the festival has undergone many changes.
Today, the procession is led by the mayor on horseback, followed by riders in medieval costume.
Then come the flag, the legendary pike bearers, the coat of arms of the meadow and that of the Bourg, and the parrot, emblem of the village.
Musicians, floral floats and carriages complete the procession. A horse race was also organized, allowing the winner to choose his queen.
But another strange game was also organized.
While the singing and dancing went on, the boys ran up and grabbed the girls, carrying them to the tall grass at the back of the meadow.
The girls were not allowed to get up again until they had given their boy a kiss. Tradition dictated that no girl should be left standing in the meadow.
The festival ended with a cavalcade through the city streets and a fireworks display.

Today, the Fête has changed a little in recent years. The boys no longer “tumble” the girls in the meadow, but accompany them to the podium for the festivities...

 

 

Translated with DeepL.com

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