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A unique celebration with a strong fishing theme
one of northern France’s most famous and vibrant festivals
draws tens of thousands of visitors annually to the coastal city of Dunkirk
the carnival captures the spirit of the region’s fishing heritage with music
This centuries-old event is a unique blend of local customs and modern festivities
offering visitors a deep connection to Dunkirk’s maritime past and a chance to experience one of Europe’s most lively and unconventional carnivals
The Dunkirk Carnival is renowned for its vivid celebrations
and parades that fill the streets every weekend
“La Bande de Dunkerque,” takes place on the Sunday before Mardi Gras (the final day of Carnival)
Musicians dressed in yellow fishermen’s coats lead the parade
creating a festive atmosphere that lasts for hours
A unique feature of the carnival is the custom of tossing smoked herring into the crowd
At the climax of the event on the Sunday before Mardi Gras
the mayor and city officials throw nearly 1102.31 pounds (500 kg) of herring from the balcony of the Town Hall on Place Saint-Valentin
where attendees eagerly await the chance to catch one
This quirky tradition harks back to the days when fishermen were about to embark on long voyages
and the herring toss symbolizes a blessing for prosperity and good fortune
but the most eventful days take place in the final weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday
Starting with the Bath of the Frozen in Malo on January 1
the carnival unfolds with a series of “bandes” (parades) and balls nearly every weekend
Highlights include the Beerne Band on February 8 and the Black Cat Ball at the Kursaal the following night
alongside other local favorites such as the Armbrouts-Cappel Band on February 9
known as the "Three Joyful Days," begin on March 2 with the first parade featuring the Dunkirk Band and its traditional herring throw
Festivities continue on March 3 with a parade along Citadel Strip near Port Museum
and culminate on March 4 with the final parade and Rosendael's Band
Shrove Tuesday’s events close the carnival with a joyful spirit
including children’s events like the Children's Ball of the Knights on March 5
Saturday nights are dedicated to grand balls at the Kursaal
where locals and visitors alike can dance to the music of regional bands
The peak weekend also features additional celebrations like the Kiekeun Festival on March 7 in Coudekerque-Branche and themed balls
such as the Sporting Ball and the Spring Ball later in March
These celebrations not only mark the end of winter but also usher in the coming of spring with exuberant parades
making it an accessible experience for all visitors
some of the grand balls may have ticketed entry
and advance booking is recommended due to high demand
Parking around Dunkirk can be limited during peak carnival days
so visitors are advised to use public transport where possible
Special arrangements are often made to increase accessibility
with additional transport services and signage to help visitors navigate the festival areas
making it a popular destination for visitors from across Europe
The carnival is spread throughout the city
with many events centered around Place Saint-Valentin and the Town Hall
visitors can explore the Dunkirk Maritime Museum
which provides insights into the city’s seafaring history
which are just a short distance from the city center
the historic Fort des Dunes and the picturesque Flemish villages make for excellent day trips
The origins of Dunkirk Carnival date back to the early 17th century when local fishermen would gather for a grand feast before setting off on long fishing expeditions to Iceland and Newfoundland
The carnival became a way to celebrate and support the fishermen’s journey
offering them a memorable send-off filled with music and festivities
this celebration evolved into a community-wide event
integrating local traditions and welcoming visitors from beyond Dunkirk
an association known as “Les Amis du Reuze de Dunkerque” has reintroduced “giants,” large wicker mannequins symbolizing folk heritage
adding yet another layer to this unique festival’s traditions
Carnival season in France is a vibrant time filled with festive parades
and traditional foods that usher in Mardi Gras celebrations
the season brings lively events across cities like Nice
The Nice Carnival features illuminated floats and the famed Flower Parade
while Annecy’s Venetian Carnival sees masked participants wandering the streets
Mulhouse boasts grand parades and satirical events
and Dunkirk is famous for its herring toss and costumed revelry
Each city offers a unique take on this cherished tradition
Retail
Chaussea notified the Autorité de la concurrence of its plan to take over 71 stores formerly operated under the Chauss’expo banner
Chaussea operates stores offering affordable footwear for men
The 71 Chauss’expo stores taken over as part of the transaction are also active in the same sector
The transaction is part of court-ordered liquidation proceedings (liquidation judiciaire)
at the end of which the Lille Métropole Commercial Court decided
to assign the aforementioned assets to Chaussea
two key players in the affordable town footwear retail market
where large specialist retailers (such as Besson
Gémo and La Halle) operate alongside major food retailers
the Autorité examined whether the planned takeover by Chaussea was likely to restrict competition in areas with stores operated by both banners
the Autorité identified competition risks in the catchment areas surrounding the Chauss’expo in Audun-le-Tiche (57)
Dunkirk – Petite Synthe and Quaëdypre (59)
the transaction was likely to affect competition and there was a risk of price rises or a reduced offering to the detriment of consumers
given the significant combined market share of the parties and the lack of sufficient alternatives
Chaussea has undertaken to divest stores in each of the areas concerned to one or more competitors
* “OR” indicates that Chaussea may divest either of the stores indicated for each of the areas concerned
Where an offer is received for both of the stores
The commitments will ensure that sufficient competition is maintained and that consumer interests are protected in the local retail markets for affordable town footwear
The proposed buyers will need to be approved by the Autorité
which will ensure their ability to provide a credible affordable footwear retailing alternative in each of the areas concerned
The commitments are intended to safeguard adequate local competition
The aim is to allow a competitor to take over the stores and their activities in order to safeguard competition in the area concerned
thereby ensuring that consumers have a diversified offering in terms of prices and products
The party cleared to carry out the transaction must present to the Autorité buyers capable of ensuring a valid takeover and then providing effective competition
which will clear the effective divestiture of the store in question
The divestitures do not therefore entail the closure of the stores
While the effective conclusion of a merger is subject to clearance by the Autorité de la concurrence
the Autorité may grant a derogation enabling the parties to finalise part or all of the transaction without waiting for the clearance decision
in order to allow for the continuation of the business activities
The granting of such a derogation is exceptional
A derogation may be granted in cases where takeover offers are presented for companies subject to court-ordered liquidation (liquidation judiciaire) or receivership (redressement judiciaire)
the granting of a derogation by the Autorité is without prejudice to the final decision taken at the end of the investigation
Plumes of smoke were sighted near the plant's HF2 blast furnace at 9pm on Monday
leading to concerns that the blast furnace itself had caught fire
and Malo-les-Bains were dispatched to the steel plant
The six fire brigades arrived as reinforcements to the firefighters already on site
making up a total of 46 firefighters battling the flames
the fire was not in the blast furnace but instead broke out on scaffolding tarpaulins
ArcelorMittal's management confirmed in a statement that the fire had broken out on the scaffolding surrounding the regenerative heat exchange
which is in the process of being dismantled
The fire did not spread to the blast furnace
which restarted at around 2am on Tuesday morning