Colors of Den Bosch - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Den Bosch is one of the few modern cities preserving good old traditions after centuries, which is distinguished by its unique national culture. A colorful carnival taking place in the city every year is one of the country's most exciting events, which never ceases to attract curious travelers. Its name is “The Feast of Fools”, and it is celebrated in late February. The first mention of the holiday's official celebration dates back to 1385. The large-scale festival has always been very popular, inspiring local artists and sculptors. Tourists visiting Jheronimus Bosch Art Center will be able to see scenes of carnival celebrations on some canvases of the great artist.

The main symbols of the carnival are funny costumes and masks, which are often hand-made. Tourists can buy colorful smiling masks in numerous stalls opened especially for the carnival time. Having a festive costume, you can go to parades and processions taking place on all the city's main streets and squares. Besides solemn street processions, the carnival is accompanied by interesting entertainment events and culinary battles. Spectators can watch competitions of skilled chefs or take part in the competition on their own to surprise the audience with their culinary skills.

During the festival, colorful fairs are held, and numerous street cafes attract visitors with an abundance of food. According to one of the versions, the old holiday is connected religious customs, as it falls on the pre-Lenten period. Since ancient times, people loved to have plenty of fun before the beginning of the long fast, so that later it would be easier to go through all the restrictions. The Feast of Fools lasts three days, every year it is visited by a huge number of visitors because the festival is strikingly different from carnivals held in other cities of the country. You can learn about the history of the celebration and its features in one of the local museums dedicated to the ancient national holiday. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The hometown of Hieronymus Bosch, one of the most prominent artists of the Northern Renaissance, offers a lot of other equally interesting festivals worth visiting. Thus, as part of the King’s Day (Koningsdag) celebrated all over the Netherlands, the Kingsland Festival is held, during which visitors are entertained by famous headliners. As a rule, here one can listen to electronic music, house, techno-rave - everything that is in one way or another associated with the Country of Tulips. At this time, Hertogenbosch, just like any other Dutch city, is painted in orange - the color of Dutch statehood.

Another musical event awaits visitors in early November and has a simple name - November Music. Anyone who decides to join the party will be able to choose music to their own taste - jazz, techno, blues, and indie are played here. Among the participants are both eminent performers and those who have not yet managed to take the rightful place among stars of show business. The fest takes place at various locations in the city center. In addition, the audience can enjoy sound installations and an interactive program.

Arriving in Den Bosch in mid-June, travelers have the unique opportunity to witness the Vlam in de Pijp Foodfestival. The venue is Tramkade, trade and exhibition center. This festival is not only for gourmets looking for interesting dishes and drinks but also for those who want to spend time in a pleasant company because the festival's friendly atmosphere is something that attracts most visitors. At the event, one can taste the local cuisine and drink beer, gin, local wine, as well as listen to musical performances and play some interesting games and competitions. And all this happens in the open air in hot June. The festival is completely free of charge.

A very fun event in the city's festival life is held at the end of the month - namely, the Studance Festival. As the name implies, the event is dedicated to students who usually complete an academic year to go on summer holidays at this time. This means that everyone has the opportunity to have plenty of fun, enjoying music and drinking strong drinks, and all this can be done on the central streets of the city - Onderwijsboulevard and Residentieplein.

In late January, Brabanthallen 's-Hertogenbosch hosts Bevrijdings Festival, the largest country festival in Europe. If you have a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, pointed leather boots, a belt with a buckle and jeans or shorts, you can safely become part of the festival and have fun. The Wild West atmosphere reigns everywhere. Sometimes it's hard to realize that you are not in Texas but in the south of the Netherlands. Traditional dances, country music, a hand-made fair, as well as the opportunity to ride horses (how else could it be?) - all this awaits those lucky ones who've decided to attend the fest.

People living in Jerome Bosch's hometown are also fond of theater art, which is confirmed by holding the Theaterfestival Boulevard in early August. In addition to theatrical performances, the audience is offered dances, street theater, musical shows. It's worth visiting the festival at least for a warm atmosphere reigning all around. The traditional venue is Pand 18 Cultural Center. In the middle of October, a 10-day open-air fest dedicated to circus and theatrical art can be visited on Velderseweg. Its name is Festival Circolo. Here the audience is entertained by troupes from the Netherlands and the historical region of Flanders. Here you can meet people of completely different age groups. The event can be visited for free.

The beginning of July in Den Bosch is marked by Trek-’S-Hertogenbosch. This is another major open-air gastronomic event that takes place on the central streets of the city - Onderwijsboulevard and Jonkerstraat. The festival is free, the atmosphere is as relaxed as possible, and tasting delicious food is accompanied by listening to music (jazz, funk, soul) and watching theatrical performances. Heavy metal is also loved in the city, and at the end of October, all Dutch fans of this music gather at Willem Twee poppodium when Metal Record Fair Den Bosch is held here. Here, musicians play covers of famous performers who have long become classics, and therefore this is a great opportunity to bring back the good old days.