The next Ros Beiaard procession will take place at the end of May 2030. The exact date will be announced later!
Anyone who truly wants to get to know the people of Dendermonde must witness a Ros Beiaard procession at least once. It is at this moment that the true soul of the townspeople reveals itself, in the presence of their beloved ‘Peirt’. The processions are so rare that thousands of locals and folklore enthusiasts from near and far long for them years in advance and cherish the memory for many years after. The spectacle continues to captivate both young and old.
In the past, the procession was held at irregular intervals, often to mark special occasions such as a royal visit or a significant historical anniversary. Since 1990, it has been organised every ten years. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 edition was cancelled twice. On 29 May 2022, the Ros, carrying the Four Sons of Aymon, finally made its triumphant journey through the city.
Each time, it is a folkloric highlight featuring 100,000 spectators, 2,000 participants, 200 horses, and around 20 floats. The climax of the procession is the so-called fire battle of the Ros Beiaard on the Grote Markt. The horse, with the Four Sons of Aymon on its back and borne by 12 sturdy carriers, dances and rears for several minutes to the rousing tones of the Ros Beiaard song. Each time it attempts to break free, it is held back by a platoon of gunpowder shooters. But in the end, the Ros Beiaard prevails and leaves the Grote Markt, heading to its resting place for the next ten years.
Because of the quality and international prestige of this unique folkloric spectacle, UNESCO recognised the Ros Beiaard and its procession in 2005 as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”
The city of Dendermonde is the owner of the Ros Beiaard and guardian of the traditions surrounding the procession. For the organisation of this decennial event, the city relies on the non-profit Ros Beiaard Committee.
