ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France

Processional giants and dragons are huge, often towering figures that are made in Belgium and France. They are brought out during certain celebrations and parades to march around and amaze everyone who comes to see them.

Giants are made of fabric over a frame or papier-mâché, and can sometimes be up to nine or ten feet tall! They have big heads, often with huge noses, and wear colorful clothing. Some of them are even dressed up like kings and queens, and they'll have large hands and feet that move with the help of people inside the figure. The giants are usually carried by a team of people, who support them with long poles or ropes.

Dragons are also made from various materials and can be carried in the same way as giants. Dragons are usually yellow, with a long tail and horns on their head. They have round and scary eyes, and they might have small wings or spiky scales all over their bodies. Like the giants, the dragons are often controlled by people inside, and they can move their arms, flap their wings, or even blow smoke from their nostrils.

People in Belgium and France have been making processional giants and dragons for hundreds of years. They bring them out during festivals to add excitement and awe to the parade. Everyone lines up to watch the colorful, gigantic figures march around the streets, waving and dancing to the music. It is a happy time for everyone.

In fact, there are often different groups that work together to make the giants and dragons even more fun. Some groups make music by playing horns or drums, while others will dance and sing their way down the street. There are even teams of people who carry large banners, representing a local club or organization, who follow the giants and dragons as they move through the neighborhood.

The process of creating these figures takes a lot of hard work and dedication, usually starting several months before the event. But the final result is worth it: a huge, colorful, awe-inspiring figure that brings joy to everyone who sees them!