This July will see the return of the annual Summer festival of Nijmegen called Vierdaagsefeesten or Four Days Festival held from July 16 to Friday 22. The International Four Day Marches is the largest marching event in the world. Civilians and military personnel undertake a four day expedition marching up to 50 Km in total. In recent years up to 40,000 people have done the walk which ends with a presentation of royally approved medals.

The march enters many different towns in the Netherlands, including Rotterdam and Utrecht, and naturally draws a large crowd. Though the marchers, undoubtedly, are in no mood to party after a long day’s walk, the tradition sees festivities known as Vierdaagsefeesten spring up all over the country.

The first march was organized for 1909 the day after the Queen’s Day festival, with just over 300 participants. It was delayed and eventually cancelled, but has been a growing tradition ever since, to the point where it is now an international undertaking.

Vierdaagsefeesten welcomes all tourists; live music is set up for free with a rock festival de Affaire held every day of the march. On the Friday of the last leg thousands of people cheer on the walkers as they cross the finish. There’s a huge firework display celebrating the close of the event, a wonderful spectacle to honour the endeavoring spirit of the marchers.

Image credit: Wiki Commons

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