Ypres, also known as Ieper in Flemish, is an ancient city in north-western Belgium, just on the other side of the border with France. Like a lot of towns around these parts, it has a long and rich history in textile production. But let’s talk about this gold dude with the cat…
During the middle ages in Europe many cats were sacrificed by being burnt, beaten or thrown to their death. It isn’t know whether the people in the middle ages wanted to punish the cat as disturber of the peace, renounce evil or were simply twisted bastards with too much time on their hands. And they say television is ruining modern society…
During the middle ages the Grote Markt in Ypres became overcrowded on Cat Wednesday (the last day of the annual fair). The city jester would throw live cats to their death from the belfry tower. Ypres continued this custom for centuries – up until 1817. In 1938 the tradition was revived by throwing velvet cats from the tower. I mean, they could maybe have ditched the whole ‘pitching kitties off the roof’ imagery entirely but there you are.
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