The famous Gayant family

This postcard from around 1910 shows the famous Gayant family during their
annual festival in Douai, France.

Commemorating a Victory: The event originated as a religious celebration to thank Saint Maurand for protecting Douai from a French siege in 1479.

The festival, known as the Fêtes de Gayant, is a centuries-old tradition
that celebrates the city's identity and history.

A Symbol of Identity: The first giant, Monsieur Gayant (which means
"giant" in the local Picard dialect), appeared in 1530.
Over time, he was given a family: his wife Marie Cagenon and
their children Jacquot, Fillon, and Binbin.

Cultural Heritage: In 2005, the festival was recognized by UNESCO as part of
the "Proccessional Giants and Dragons in Belgium and France,"
highlighting its importance as an intangible cultural heritage

The Festival Today

The giants, made of wicker and fabric, can stand up to 8.5 meters (nearly
28 feet) tall. They are paraded through the streets every July for
three days, traditionally on the Sunday following July 5th. It takes
a team of up to six men to carry and "dance" the larger
figures through the city.

Monsieur Gayant is the ceremonial patriarch of the "Gayant family"
and the symbolic protector of Douai, France. His name comes from the
Picard word for "giant".

While he is a fictional figure, he is based on several local legends:

A Local Hero: Some legends say he represents Jehan Gelon, a knight who
supposedly saved the city from a barbarian siege in the 9th century.

A Knight Protector: He is typically dressed as a 16th-century feudal
warrior, complete with a helmet, breastplate, a red cape, and a war
hammer or lance.
The First Giant: His first appearance as a wicker figure was in 1530,
created by local basket makers to celebrate the signing of a peace
treaty.

Monsieur Gayant is the tallest of the processional giants in northern France:

• Current
Height: He stands 8.51 meters (approx. 28 feet) tall.

• Weight:
He weighs around 370–375 kg (approx. 825 lbs).

• Movement:
Because of his massive size and weight, it takes six men hidden
under his wicker skirts to carry and dance him through the streets.

He is almost always accompanied by his wife, Marie Cagenon (6.26
meters), and their three children: Jacquot, Fillon, an Binbin.

https://payhip.com/b/WT24o The Last of the Old World Giants.. Better quality unlimited shares.

The Last of the Old World Giants https://payhip.com/b/zX9oW

The Last of the Old World Giants looks at the hidden relatively recent history of Giants! Over 100 giants researched, named and remembered. Many more remembered only due to photographs that exist and are sometimes hidden by archive vaults. Tartaria and Tartarian giants, Circus and Military Giants, Giants in 18th and 19th century newspapers, Giants remains found and reported by media. Giant Warriors, Giants in Siberia, Giants in Asia, Magog and Gog, Gargantua AND MUCH MORE.. Over 800 pages, tons of photographs.