Zorgeloos plezier

Fun without worries. Cities promoting fairs in the Austrian Netherlands. Focusing as a case study on of Kortrijk, middle-sized city county Flanders, this contribution aims to further our knowledge an increasing respectability eighteenth century. The magistrate regulated fairs, but also increasingly had active role their organization. Kortrijk variety early modern period, ranging from local parish processions two large scale commercial with additional forms entertainment visited by people coming far away Normandy. were celebrated practically all year round and spread over many locations city. They took place squares public buildings. Although traces are scarce need deep archival research be recovered, there is no doubt that latter half seventeenth century attractive for social groups deemed respectable. This ties current by, among others, Benjamin Heller Ann Tlusty, who have situated elites actively promoted governments. Why was so, I suggest, because persistence cyclical ritual Netherlands matched policies government create spaces activities leisure citizens.