“Dzjing klet boom … vedrom me the growing drum”, that is the title of the poster designed by Dennis De Wolf and which will pop up everywhere in the streets in the coming weeks.
The carnival procession in Aalst, together with the giants and the Prince Carnival, is opened by the Ros Balatum. The Ros Balatum, a horse of 7 meters high, has been riding in the procession since 1953.
The Ros Balatum is the Aalst counterpart of the Dendermonde Ros Beiaard. When the inhabitants of Aalst discovered that the head of the Ros Beiaard was made of a balatum-like tarpaulin, they made a similar horse and mockingly called it ‘Ros Balatum’. The head of the Steed was originally also made of Balatum, but was then replaced by a new one made of polyester. The Ros Balatum blows steam from his nostrils and he drops a trail of onions on the street from his behind.
Just like the Ros Beiaard from Dendermonde, the Ros is ridden by Four Heemskinderen. All boys and girls from Aalst (or who go to school in Aalst) from 9 to 14 years old are eligible for a seat at the Ros.