The cats of Ypres and our cat of Boezinge

"No Catwalk in 2022". Oh, I find that such a setback. Because I am a great lover of cats, of the cat city of Ypres and of the triennial Cat parade. But at B&B Back2Front, the cat theme remains.

Maybe it is because my name is Katja and you already hear 'cat' in my name. Maybe it's because I think cats are such cute animals. But maybe it is because it is always so impressive. The three-yearly Cat Parade on the second Sunday in May attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year and I am glad to be one of them.

(Af)geblazen
45 editions have already been held, the most recent being in 2018. Ypres is always full of cats and dogs. It starts even a day before the actual Catwalks pass through the streets of Ypres. And even after the parade, it's still all about the cats. After the procession, there is a great cheer on the Ypres Grote Markt as people try to catch one of the coveted plush kittens that the city jester throws down from the Ypres Hall tower. In short: it is fun, beautiful and enjoyable every time.

Procession with history
The first procession took place on 13 March 1938. At the time, everything revolved around a jester and a few honorary boys carrying a plush cat from the Ypres town hall to the belfry. Since then, the procession has grown into a real spectacle. From 1955 onwards, the Cat Parade became a large folkloristic procession with floats and cats in all shapes and sizes.

Minneke Poes
Fixed values are the Koninklijke Harmonie Ypriana, flag wavers and many extras who dance and play their hearts out to portray the history of cats and Ypres. For 2022 the giant Pietje Pek would be taken in hand, the Belfry wagon is being restored and even a completely new wagon was announced (Medieval madness). Unfortunately, that will be for later. Also the showpiece of the parade, the giant Minneke Poes, will remain in the stable. Our' Minneke Poes is a real showpiece - especially since she was given a new outfit in 2003. Don't you know the Ypres giant cat? Minneke Poes is also on the Ypres Monopoly edition which came out in 2021. That party game is a must if you're coming to stay with us in Boezinge. You will immediately fall under the spell of Ypres as a city of peace and cats.

Idea for cat lovers
The tourist office of the city of Ypres offers 'Kattenjacht' (Cat Hunt): a great family treasure hunt and a game to play at home (or in our B&B of course). While playing, you can discover Ypres and the history of the Cat City. You will pass the best places in town and spend about an hour and a half on this great three-kilometre quest that starts on the Grote Markt in Ypres.
You can play the tour via an app or via a paper version. The Ypres Tourist Office and the Ypres Museum will tell you all about it.

Our own mascot
Did you know that B&B Back2Front also has its own cat mascot? Maybe you already saw her on our social media: our quirky black cat who loves to welcome our guests on the driveway in front of our B&B and holiday home.
She is nine years old and called Kittymix. A strange name, you say? It is the name that our B&B guests have chosen for her. That's why our Kittymix is a real B&B cat. She simply belongs to Back2Front. And she can't wait to welcome you, meowing and purring, when you come to Boezinge for a cuddly and pleasant stay.

Would you like to have a look at our Kittymix? And stay informed of activities and events in and around Ypres and Boezinge in 2022? Then like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bbBack2Front