CHESTER the Giant City has been invited to Steenvoorde near Dunkirk to take part in the Ronde Européenne de Géants festival.
Chester’s Midsummer Watch family – the father, mother and two daughters, towering four metre figures high – have packed their passports and will head across the Channel for the weekend event from April 27-29.
Now in its fifth year, the festival welcomes 100 international giants from 13 countries parading around the French town.
Chester’s Midsummer Watch artistic director Russell Kirk and the parade’s Giant Master David Roberts, together with their team, will accompany the giants as they represent the city and the UK.
Five hundred years ago Chester was the giant-making capital of the UK; the first of Chester’s own new family of giants was built in 1989 using archive descriptions of the original family from 1498.
Each town or city came to Chester when they needed a giant to ward off evil spirits. Half a millennium later, Chester has once again reclaimed the title as the giant-making capital of the UK.
Chester giants will be in the city to welcome the Olympic flame as the torch relay visits the North West on May 29 and 30.
The city is preparing for a spectacular royal parade of giants in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Sixty Queen Elizabeth giants, sculpted by Chester born artist Nick Elphick, will create a magnificent sight on June 4.
The Chester family of giants will return home in time for their own Midsummer Watch Parade being held this year from June 23-24.
The Midsummer Watch is one of Britain's oldest and most colourful street parades.
