Medieval Sound of Carillon: The Belfries of Flanders: UNESCO Culture Sector

Many cities in Belgium between the 13^th and 15^th centuries thrived on trade. Citizens built belfries as symbols of their prosperity. A set of bells known as Carillon are situated at the top of each belfry, announcing the time to the city. Carillon can be played by hand, though they are usually operated mechanically. The word Carillon originates from the old French word for "a quarter", suggesting that the bells were rung every 15 minutes. Belfries were originally exclusive to churches but as the cities thrived, local citizens started to build their own belfries in their local city square. The belfries in Brugge and Ghent were also built by their citizens. Belfries came to represent a citizen’s power. The Flanders city of Mechelen is known as a Carillon city. The belfry here was built in the 13^th century. This carillon consists of 78 different bells, and is the largest in Flanders.

The Royal Carillon School was founded in 1922. It is one of the few Carillon schools in the world. People of all ages learn to play the Carillon here. Carillon School director Mr. Jo Haazen is one of the world’s few Carillon masters. His Carillon sound echoes throughout Mechelen several times a month.

Playing Carillon is not as easy as it looks. Each bell has a complex resonance. It is very difficult to create clear harmonious sounds.

Unchanged since medieval times, the chimes of the Carillon bells continue to resound throughout the city.