Gouda, famous for its iconic “Gouda by Candlelight” event, offers a unique spectacle each year that transforms its historic city center into a fairy-tale setting. On Friday, December 13, 2024, the city will be illuminated by thousands of candles, providing visitors with a magical and unforgettable experience.
The cobbled streets, sparkling canals, and medieval buildings glow with a soft light, creating a warm and enchanting atmosphere. The highlight of the event is the majestic Christmas tree, sent by the Norwegian city of Kongsberg, which will be lit during a special ceremony. This marks the beginning of the event, where candles replace electric lights, creating a one-of-a-kind ambiance in the market square.
This tradition dates back to 1956 when a Christmas tree was gifted by Kongsberg. The tradition began with an unexpected friendship between the two cities, which started in 1952 when the Kongsberg wind orchestra participated in an international festival in Gouda. Inspired by the success of this cultural exchange, Gouda councilor Harry Hagendorn contacted the Norwegian conductor in 1956 with an audacious request: to receive a tree to light up the city for Christmas.
The response was enthusiastic. Kongsberg councilor Mr. Guttorm Friis selected a majestic tree, which arrived in Gouda on December 12, 1956. In return, Gouda sent Kongsberg its local treasures: Gouda cheese, clay pipes, and candles made in the city. This exchange marked the beginning of an annual tradition.
In 1958, during the centenary of the Gouda candle factory, the idea of lighting the city with candles came to life. On May 22, 1958, all the windows of the Gothic Town Hall were illuminated with candles as part of a festive program. This spectacular effect enchanted locals and entrepreneurs, who decided to recreate this magic at Christmas.
Thus, the first “Candle Evening” was born, an evening when electric lights were extinguished, and candles lit not only the historic buildings but also the windows of the houses around the market square. Today, 1,500 candles are needed just to light the Town Hall windows.
So, “Gouda by Candlelight” is not just an illumination ceremony. The event is an immersion into the history and culture of Gouda. Every corner of the city tells a story, and the annual exchange with Kongsberg symbolizes decades of friendship and shared traditions.
In 2024, let yourself be carried away by this unique celebration, where the light of the candles not only illuminates the cobbled streets and canals of Gouda but also the heritage of a city deeply connected to its roots.
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