Belgium    1885 - 1964

             There is something particular in carnivals which we find nowhere else. Who hasn’t a fond memory of this popular fete. How many idylls were born or were formed on the occasion of these holidays?

             Throughout my youth, I was rocked by the galloping carousel of J.Bairolle of Bressoux. On the holiday of Dolhain-Limbourg, it was installed at a small place, in front of big place with other attractions. Superb, it was unmistakably king of the holiday. It drew all the attention. I remember the glance of amazed tourists of passage. Rare those were who did not stop to come to admire this magnificent work.

             In 1964, it disappeared and at the same time the soul of the holiday. For me, this holiday will never be the same.

Caravans, tanks of material, horses of wood pulled by a steam locomotive. At the beginning of the 1900s, it took three days for this caravan to join Bastogne. This long caravan created a whole spectacle.

To the left on the photo: Léon Bolland and his sons Richard and Raymond.

Photo : Lambert Jamers

7.62 meters high and 12.20 meters in diameter, decorated with beveled mirrors and with brilliant colors, it has 24 horses and 4 gondolas. The organ of the carousel is the "pneumatic mechanics" type stemming from Charles Marenghi's workshops of Paris. Furnished with numerous electric light bulbs, this carousel, really very beautiful, demonstrates the talent of the artisans of the time.

At the fair in Liège near the end of the 1920s. Notice to the right, the steam locomotive which powered a generator being only used for the lighting of the merry-go-round. The gallopers belonged to Léon Bolland at this time.

Photo : Lambert Jamers