BELGIUM BANS PRACTICE OF DRINKING LIVE FISH

The government of Belgium has banned an ancient tradition which involves drinking from a goblet of wine containing live fish, and citizens are furious. For over 600 years – since 1413! – the town of Geraardsbergen has celebrated the arrival of spring with the Krakelingen festival. The centerpiece of the festival involves local druids throwing bread crackers off the top of historic Oudenberg Hill. But just before they start cracker tossing, the druids drink wine from a goblet containing live fish swimming around. The live fish has now been banned by the government under a new animal welfare law. The ban has sparked fury among traditionalists, who took to the streets last weekend with signs reading “I want fish.” The fish used in the ceremony are small aquarium fish.
* Which makes sense. Have you ever tried to swallow a complete flounder?
* They call it Gulping the Guppy. Guzzling the Grunion. Sipping the Sardine. Swallowing the Swordtail. Slurping the Snapper. Imbibing the Bluegill. Swigging the Smelt.
* If this all sounds weird to you, remember, we just finished with Groundhog Day.
* The saying is, you’re supposed to drink LIKE a fish, not drink a LIVE fish. Must have got lost in translation.
* I believe Mrs. Paul’s has offered to replace the live fish with a nice filet of breaded pollock.
* And besides this, they also throw bread crackers off the top of a hill. Man, those Belgians know how to PARTY!