Event - Kroningsfeesten Tongeren
Every 7 years over 10% of the population in the oldest city in Belgium participates in a week of reenactments, processions & after dark shows, all dedicated to the biblical Mary. (Background story) and they're aged between 89 years and 1 month old.
In 2023, for the 19th edition since 1890, there are over 3000 participants and they attracted 65000 spectators on the 1st day. 3 More days to go, I said after that 1st Sunday
You can just feel a symbiotic connection, some strange form of unity between the citizens. Yes, it's a religious evocation of biblical stories and many participate out of pure heartfelt beliefs, but it's also more than that. It trancends simple religious zealousness both as a spectacle and as a way to create bridges & forge bonds between the citizens.
The final day still lured over 50000 visitors to the town (a day during which it was live-streamed ànd most events for that day were cancelled due to a code red storm warning) Very impressive and I can only imagine the exhaustion of the participants after 4 long procession walks, followed by 4 evening shows on the stage in front of the Basilica. On Monday Tongeren was a very silent city.
I moved here during the big lockdown, so it was my 1st time enjoying these festivities. And I have to say: it's impressive, even for someone with my belief system -Thaoism is the only belief system which sometimes manage to trigger me.. and that's a life-philosophie instead of religion.. since it lacks the presence of gods- so I'll do as I promised and try to enjoy as much as I can and participate in the way I roll: through images.
All photos are here on Flickr ( UPDATE: all processing is done)
At least 1 video goes to Instagram.
The other videos are for Clapper.
For updates & questions there's always Facebook.
Do you want a print from a photo: Via Oypo printing service
(or on PC/Mac: scroll down on this page)
(A tip: combine your orders to save on shipping costs)
Other events from Tongeren:
Carnaval Tongeren
Ciao Tongeren
Christmas in Tongeren
Straatmuzikantenfestival Tongeren (Soon, but I'm drowning in work)
Videos:
01 The Romans on Clapper and on Youtube
02 Later
Some more samples while I continue working:
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More will follow
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KLIK HIER VOOR MEER FOTO'S / ENCORE PLUS DE PHOTOS / MORE PICTURES
Link to this article: https://tinyurl.com/Kroning2023
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Namaste and till the 20th anniversary edition in 2030!
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De andere 1150 foto's kunnen HIER gratis bekeken worden op Flickr
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