Eeklo brings legend to life with first Re-baker Procession

Eeklo, a town in Belgium, is bringing its quirky "herbakker" (re-baker) legend to life with its first Herbakkersstoet, or re-baker procession. The event, organized by the Royal Association for Folk Culture (KVVV), aims to revive a local tale where people once traveled to Eeklo seeking a "better head."

“

The head was cut off, a cabbage was placed on the stump to stop the bleeding, and the head was put in the oven in the hope that one would emerge with a better head, re-baked.

According to the legend, a person's head would be chopped off, a cabbage placed on the stump to stop bleeding, and the head then baked in an oven. The hope was to emerge with an improved mind. Those who stayed too long in the oven were called "hotheads," too short were "half-baked," and failures were "mis-baked."

The procession will feature a float depicting this ritual, allowing public participation. Visitors can place their heads on a chopping block and step into a replica re-baker oven, receiving an official diploma upon completion. Another float will showcase students from the Eeklo Art Academy sculpting heads, while other decorative floats will explain the legend with accompanying text.

“

It will probably be a giantess with a cabbage in place of her head, carrying her own head in her arms.

A new giantess figure, specifically created for the parade, will also be a highlight. She will reportedly have a cabbage where her head should be, carrying her own head in her arms. The Order of the Eeklo Re-baker, an organization that recognizes cultural and social contributions to the town, will also march in ceremonial attire, accompanied by music fanfares.

“

We are actually a bit at the end of our rope with organizing these processions.

While the KVVV describes the event as likely a one-time occurrence due to organizational challenges, they acknowledge significant public demand for its continuation. The decision on whether the procession will become an annual event will depend on its evaluation. The stoet is funded by a 4,000 euro subsidy from the city project Meemakers and the Meetjesland cultural project Comeet, supplemented by sponsors and the association's own funds. The procession is scheduled for September 20th at 2 p.m. through Eeklo's city streets.

“

There is a lot of demand to keep this procession going, but it depends on the evaluation.