The history of flag waving dates back to medieval times when standard-bearers and flag wavers accompanied the armies to impress the enemy and also together with the drummers to encourage their own troops. Later on the military purpose of flag waving disappeared and it was then only practiced ceremonially by the guilds. Drummers and whistlers traditionally accompanied flag wavers. (See music). The Institute for Flemish Folk Art has also, as is the case with the Flemish folkdances, noted down and published a whole series of flag waving routines. Various new flag waving routines were created over the past 50 years stemming from this tradition within the Flemish folk art scene. Set to both traditional music as to modern movie soundtracks and other compositions. Reuzegom's flag wavers do not only perform traditional flag waving routines. Also new own creations set to film music and show piece sequences that are accompanied by drummers are part of their repertoire. Reuzegom uses traditional flags, which measure 2m by 1m80 with a counter-weight of about 6kg, as well as the slightly smaller flags of 1m65 by 1m50 that weigh 4kg. This now more modern image caused the number of flag wavers to increase from 5 to 14 members with among them four sturdy women. This proves that these ladies by no means should yield to the so-called stronger sex. If you are interested to wave a flag, join us then at our weekly rehearsals on Sunday mornings between 10:00-12:00 noon. VTI Leuven Brabançonnestraat (across ''Studio 1'') 3000 Leuven or contact our working group "flag waving": Paul De Belder    |
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