The Collaborative International Dictionary
Kermesse \Ker"messe\, n. [F.] See Kirmess.
Wiktionary
n. (alternative form of kirmess English)
Wikipedia
Kermesse, or kermis, or kirmess, is a Dutch language term derived from 'kerk' ( church) and 'mis' ( mass) that became borrowed in English and French, originally denoting the mass said on the anniversary of the foundation of a church (or the parish) and in honour of the patron. Such celebrations were regularly held in the Low Countries, in Central Europe and also in northern France, and were accompanied by feasting, dancing and sports of all kinds.
Kermesse (or Kermess) may refer to one of the following:
- Kermesse (cycling), a variety of cycling road race
- Kermesse (festival), a local festival, originally relating to a church
- Carnival in Flanders known in French as La Kermesse héroïque, a film by Jacques Feyder
- Kermess, a rock band from Quebec, Canada
- '' Kermesse (1959 film) featuring Fanny Schiller
A kermesse, also spelled kermess, and kermis in Flemish is a style of road bicycle race that is common in Western Europe. Typically kermesse races are found in Belgium, especially in the northern Flanders region, where they are the most popular style of amateur bicycle race. They also exist in the Netherlands. The bicycle race borrows the name from the kermesse (festival) where the bicycle race is often held on the same day as a town festival, though not always .
The races are usually 90-140 kilometers in total length. While some are longer or shorter, most are about 120 kilometers. The race is a set distance and number of laps over the established course. There are typically 10 to 20 laps, of between 5 and 10 kilometers. The race usually begins and ends in the center of the town which is hosting the day's race. The race will occupy the roads in town as well as the roads surrounding, either city streets or farmland.
The course usually has a rolling enclosure. This means that while the race is not passing through, the streets are open to traffic. A designated car, usually with a caution sign and a red flag, leads the riders and close the cross streets to traffic. A following car, usually with signs and a green flag, open the streets back up to traffic.
These events are usually amateur races restricted to professionals and classified as UCI 1.12B, though there are also professional only races. To enter the race one must hold a license with a governing cycling body of their country or with the Union Cycliste Internationale. Most kermesse races in Belgium are overseen by Wielerbond Vlaanderen. Registration for the races is typically 3 euro with a 5 euro deposit for the race number. The race number must be returned after the race to get ones deposit back.
There is usually a pay out of 670 euro or 800 euro. Traditionally the 670 euro race will pay out 35 deep and the 800 euro race will pay out 50 deep. Some races have greater or less payout. Within the event there are often special prizes awarded during certain laps of the race, known as primes. The primes are usually cash awards, but sometimes will be other things like a bicycle.
The kermesse is similar to the criterium but differs primarily in total course length and lap length. While a criterium traditionally last 60–90 minutes, a kermesse will often take 120–180 minutes. A single lap in a criterium is usually less than 5 kilometers while the kermesse is usually 5-10 kilometers per lap.
Usage examples of "kermesse".
The Kermesse will undertake the sale of a great variety of goods which will be purchased in advance by funds advanced by various members of the Guild who have been elected Patrons and Associate Patrons.
At Bruges, Ypres, and Furnes, and still more in such large cities as Brussels or Antwerp, the kermesse has ceased to be typical of the country, and is supplanted by fairs such as may be seen in England or in almost any other country.
But the kermesse proper, which still survives in some places, shows the Flemings amusing themselves in something more like the old fashion than anything which can be seen in the Market-Place of Bruges or on the boulevards of Brussels or Antwerp.
If you want to see a real Kermesse you must go to some village in Flanders, and there you will find it very amusing.
The bottles were hastily emptied, the men stuffed themselves with whatever they were lucky enough to get hold of, and there was a free-and-easy kind of Kermesse in that huge hall which the logs in the fireplace lit up with a forge-like glow.
It was the last day before Kermesse away at Louvain, and the Brabantois was in haste to reach the fair and get a good place for his truck of brass wares.
Fortunately for his peace, his former owner was killed in a drunken brawl at the Kermesse of Mechlin, and so sought not after him nor disturbed him in his new and well-loved home.
I have traveled through Belgium and found, in little market towns, kermesses that were orgiastic like the merry-making in a Breughel picture.
But, if we look more closely, we shall not be slow to perceive that no work is more homogeneous than that of Flaubert, and that, in truth, the Education Sentimentale differs from Salammbô only as a Kermesse of Rubens, for example, or a Bacchante of Poussin differs from the apotheoses or the Church pictures of the painters themselves.