A New Style Epiphany Parade: that must be the Star Parade that passes through the streets of Tilburg on Sunday evening. The living animals have been replaced by light ornaments. During the tour you will see how diverse the city is. But is this a replacement for Epiphany?
About 400 primary school students are also taking part in the tour. They gather with the other participants in the Heikese Kerk. One of them is Justyna van Halteren Bogucka. She works at the Polish school and participates with a group of Polish children. She is familiar with the Epiphany tradition and she immediately thought the Sterrentocht was a great idea: “We heard about this initiative in the spring and I am glad that we can participate, because this is so similar to what we are used to in Poland.”
“I am no longer isolated, but part of Tilburg.”
Justyna looks around and sees how all the groups gather: “I feel so part of Tilburg, I am no longer isolated.”
At half past four everyone goes outside for the opening on the square in front of the church. After performances in which the audience sometimes appreciates commitment more than tone stability, the floor is up to Mayor Weterings. He speaks lyrically about the new event, which connects the city in such a way: “We show that we believe in the future together, because we can only have it together.”
After the hundreds of attendees have counted together, the large illuminated star turns on and the journey begins. Brenda walks with her children with the group of primary school Panta Rhei: “We really like it! We are pleasantly surprised. This is the first time and it looks so beautiful with all those lanterns.”
“Children can learn something from it.”
Two spectators along the side still remember the old Epiphany Tour, but they don’t miss it: “I think this is a success. You can see that a lot of hard work has gone into it.” “And children can learn something from it,” adds her friend: “Singing together, doing something together. And they learn the story of Epiphany. Important, because the Epiphany singing from door to door is broken, that is hardly done anymore.”
Immediately behind the brightly lit star, at the front of the procession, are the three kings. One of them is the inventor of the tour Paul Spapens. He beams from ear to ear: “I’m 73, I’ve been through a lot in my life. But this is really a curmudgeon. It’s great to see how many people have come and how they experience it. They support the goal we want to propagate.”
As far as Spapens is concerned, the Sterrentocht will be back next year: “We want to make many more light attributes. We hope that even more groups from other cultures will join us. Our ambition is to grow this into an event that attracts visitors from all over the region.”
