The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

The Gondelvaart op wielen (Gondola-trip on wheels) is a procession with decorated, festively illuminated floats. Because the procession starts at 8.30 PM, illumination is an important element of the Gondola-trip. The decoration of the gondolas mainly consists of hundreds of thousands of dahlias. In addition seeds, vegetables, fruits and shells are used. The gondolas follow a closed track and the visitors pay an entrance fee. The Gondola-trip on wheels has no themes, thus giving the neighbourhood groups the liberty to really let themselves go in their structures. The figuration plays a major role. The costumes of the extras in particular, must be in line with the subject. In November the neighbourhood groups can indicate if they wish to participate in next year’s Gondola-trip and in March the designs are shown. Then the construction can start, warmly welcoming children for, for instance, cutting leaves of sticking needles in styrofoam plates. In the third weekend of September the Gondola-trip on wheels take place during two consecutive evenings, surrounded by music and other entertainment. There is a supporting programme with street artists and a farmers’ band. Then a private festive evening takes place with the awards ceremony. In October of every year there is a Children’s Gondola-trip.

 

Community

Often several generations are at the same time involved in construction, and young people are very welcome. The Children’s Gondola-trip is a good way to pass on the tradition to a next generation. Drogeham has approximately 1825 inhabitants, but a total of some 2000 people are involved in the Gondola-trip, some volunteers since 1967already. The neighbourhood groups that have been set up especially for the Gondola-trip, also organise mutual neighbourhood parties and barbecues.

 

History

The Gondola-trip on wheels in Drogeham was created in 1967. The inspiration came when a number of inhabitants visited the Gondola-trip in Aldeboorn, which took place in the water over there, and a procession in Katlijk. Already during the return journey it was decided to annually organise something like it. The only problem was that there was no canal or water in the village, so the gondolas and the decorated floats were added up: a gondola-trip on wheels, that was what it should be. In 1967 a committee was formed, twelve neighbourhood groups were established, which would build a float. In 1968 the moment had come: the first Gondola-trip on wheels drove on the main road of the village and back again. For ten years this route was ‘sailed’. Subsequently, a closed track was introduced. The popularity of the Gondola-trip on wheels rose sky-high:  from a small, local parade the tradition developed into a leading event in the northern part of the Netherlands, annually attracting some 18,000 visitors. The floats developed into (maximum) 13 yards long, 3 yards wide and 5 yards high creative designs, which are built in big tents or sheds. For finishing an average of a hundred thousand dahlia heads are stuck in or on, (only since 1976). For once the Gondola-trip could not take place, due to lack of enthusiasm. That was in 1983. In 1998 the committee became a foundation.

 

Safeguarding

2022-2024

  • Investigate whether we can make ticket sales digital to make this more accessible.
  • Use the inclusion of Corso culture on UNESCO's Representative List to create more publicity for the Gondola.
  • Make more concrete use of the school lessons and give a presentation at school the week before the Gondola Ride.
  • In the preparation for the event, give the children the opportunity to submit a design/subject for a gondola that could possibly be realised.
  • Set up a children's committee for the children's gondola ride.
  • Further cooperate with other parades, for example in the field of judging.
  • Keep in touch with each other by visiting the neighborhoods/groups every quarter to hear what the board may be able to do. This way we keep the connections to bring back the inspiration and enthusiasm.
  • Actively, also outside the village, set up actions to actively call on family members, groups of friends, or acquaintances to participate once and thus involve more people in the Gondola Ride. For example, through playful actions, such as a recruitment bonus (by means of free tickets) if members of a group bring extra people to a group or by organizing a walk-in morning / viewing day.
  • Ask the youth gondola to approach the new youth and investigate how the main board can contribute to this.

Contact

Stichting Gondelvaart op wielen Drogeham
Website