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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Duisburg Celebrates 800 Years with Festive Parade: 'Village of Pumpkin Growers and 52 Cafés'

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Duisburg, a part of Tervuren, celebrated its 800th anniversary with a historical parade.
  • The parade featured 37 scenes depicting the village's history, including its origins as a free community granted rights in 1226.
  • Local traditions like pumpkin growing and the planting of the Maypole were highlighted, alongside guest groups from Belgium and Germany.

Duisburg, a village within Tervuren, marked its 800th anniversary with a grand historical parade, an event that occurs only once a decade. The procession showcased 37 scenes, bringing the village's rich history to life with floats and costumed participants.

Every Duisburg resident looks forward to this. A year before the parade, they start brainstorming about a float. It really comes alive here.

— CarinaA member of the Duisburg celebration committee, describing the local anticipation for the parade.

The celebration highlighted local peculiarities, such as its history of pumpkin cultivation and the numerous folk pubs that once dotted the area. The event also remembered the Maypole planting tradition. Duisburg received its charter of freedom in 1226 from Duke Henry I of Brabant, granting its inhabitants special rights and a local administration.

It's really a beautiful parade.

— MarieA resident from the Ijzer hamlet, commenting on the historical procession.

Festivities throughout the week included a village cantus, traditional cheese tart baking, the launch of a special beer named Dusborc, and performances by local artists. The historical parade itself drew inspiration from various eras, including Roman road construction, Napoleon's troops teaching pétanque, and the liberation celebrations after World War II.

I really get involved in what happens in the village. The oldtimers in the parade especially appeal to me. And we collect candy for the neighbors' children.

— Frank Van ParysA resident of Duisburg for 25 years, sharing his engagement with the village festivities.

Participants expressed enthusiasm for the event. "Every Duisburg resident looks forward to this. A year before the parade, they start brainstorming about a float. It really comes alive here," said Carina from the organizing committee. Marie, from the hamlet of Ijzer, added, "It's really a beautiful parade." Frank Van Parys, a resident for 25 years, noted his fondness for the vintage vehicles in the parade, while Heidi, attending for the fourth time, appreciated seeing international groups and reconnecting with neighbors.

It's also impressive to see so many foreign groups. But I especially enjoy meeting people we haven't seen in a while. We'll definitely be back in 10 years.

— HeidiAn attendee observing the parade for the fourth time, reflecting on the community aspect and international participation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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