A float depicting Orthodox Jews with long hair curls appeared in the Aalst Carnival parade on Sunday.

The group chose the theme “Aalst tribunal,” with judges asked to rule on humour.

Anyone who imagined that Aalst carnival-goers would keep a low profile after last year’s controversy were mistaken.

On the contrary, the carnival decided to attack the “sensitivity” of those that criticised last year’s controversial float.

“We are the humour judges. Jews, priests, Muslims… in Aalst, we make fun of everything and everyone. It’s in the Aalst code of humour.”

As well as the floats, participants assembled along the route also decided to laugh at the controversy. Many of them were wearing stereotypes associated with Jews like hooked noses and curly side curls.

The parade started at 2pm, an hour later than planned because of the storm risk. Security measures put in place by the fire department also impacted on the event.

The height of the floats was limited to four metres and people over two metres tall could not carry people on their shoulders.

Sarah Johansson

The Brussels Times