Gentse Feesten Starts with Parades for First Time in a Decade

The Gentse Feesten, Ghent's renowned summer festival, kicked off Friday evening with a vibrant display of five opening parades, marking a significant return to tradition after a decade-long hiatus. The absence of these parades had drawn public criticism, with many lamenting the loss of a unifying element for the city.

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The sense of togetherness is especially nice, to be able to kick off GF together. These five parades are a good idea! There's a lot of variety.

This year's festivities aimed to recapture that sense of community, featuring diverse and creative processions. One highlight was a boat parade gliding along Ghent's waterways, accompanied by a 18-member steampunk brass band in elaborate costumes. Following this, Greenpeace activists presented a playful yet pointed message about ocean protection. Another unique procession involved a motorless, mobile hip-hop stage that encouraged onlookers to help push it along its route from the Begijnhofdriespark.

Adding to the spectacle, a giantess named Fientje paraded from Kapitein Zeppospark, while a guild of witches processed through the city from Keizerpark. This latter parade served as a tribute to the women and men unjustly accused during historical witch hunts. All participants and spectators were invited to join the parades, fostering a collective celebration.

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We stand in the spotlight with pleasure, and we are very surprised by the turnout. It really does us good.

The diverse processions converged at Waterdebuutplein and Vlasmarkt, where the unofficial anthem of the Gentse Feesten, 't Vliegerke', resonated. Participants expressed delight at the return of the parades and the strong turnout. "The sense of togetherness is especially nice," shared one participant, "to be able to kick off GF together. These five parades are a good idea! There's a lot of variety." Another attendee remarked on the positive attention and the surprising number of people who came out, stating, "It really does us good." Many are eager to immerse themselves in the festival's day and night programs, embracing the spontaneous spirit of the Gentse Feesten.

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We will of course also join the party. We will definitely follow the night program, but there are apparently a lot of things to do during the day too. We'll just let it happen. You can't plan it, the Gentse Feesten, it just happens.