Since time immemorial, almost everyone in Brabant’s cities and villages celebrates carnival to their heart’s content. For three full days at the end of winter, the people of Brabant set their work and cares aside and have fun. They mock sobriety in general and the authorities in particular, forming processions comprising floats, music and dance groups.
Old and young dance in the streets and make music; people who do not know each other congregate and local administrators also simply join in. The municipalities even temporarily exchange their official names for fictitious ones. Months of preparation go into the carnival, in which the people of Brabant invest a lot of energy and creativity just as the Brazilians do. Tired yet contented after the party, they can once more cope with what life throws at them.
Easy-going
Other Dutch people regard the people of Brabant as easy-going and willing to spend time on you. The inhabitants also share this attitude with one another. Brabant’s residents appreciate each other’s support; they could never have won the battle for survival on their own. They develop and maintain networks to assist one other or celebrate their culture, as well as having family and group ties.
Leisure time
The residents of Brabant love to get together. The province’s leisure and common interest associations organise activities for around 600,000 people, which is equivalent to one resident in four. The people of Brabant have also built countless (often highly impressive) churches, synagogues and mosques in which to practice their religions. They spend their leisure time meeting one another in community centres, on street benches when the weather permits, on terraces and, of course, in pubs.