All Souls’ Day Procession

Accompanied by bagpipes, drums, flutes and torches, Death marches through the streets, followed by a procession of the deceased: kings, nobles, fishermen, bakers and farmers. With his wooden hammer, Death knocks on doors and commands residents to join the procession. The procession halts at places where someone has died in the past year. The deceased is solemnly commemorated there, with a moment of silence and reflection.

It is an impressive and sometimes moving tradition, in which people come together to say farewell and celebrate life. When the dance comes to an end, a toast is raised in the Doopsgezinde Vermaning: to life!

And after that? Then it’s time to dance.