It is a nice alternative to midnight mass on Christmas Eve: the Torchlights for Peace parade in Tilburg. Despite the bad weather, the tour attracted a few hundred participants who walked through the city from Willemsplein with lighted torches. Right around the corner from the Heikese church, the wind blew out many torches. But it wouldn’t be a parade for peace if everyone didn’t quickly help each other start a fire again.
The Toonen-Coppens family has little interest in Christmas or religion, but enjoys participating in the torchlight procession. We have been involved for many years. “It rained very hard when we were still at home, but the children still really enjoy participating. It really is our evening with the four of us.”
Teun and Tijn are two young boys who happily walk along even when it is pouring rain. Why? Because Teun’s father works at The Living Museum Tilburg. This year, the proceeds from the sale of torches will go to this museum. Tijn has walked along before. Teun thinks there is a mess in the world, so such a parade is necessary, he says.
“We’ve been walking along since she was able to ride in the buggy,” says mother Loes, who walks along with her now grown-up daughter Anne. I just think it’s really important to do something on Christmas Eve. A ritual. No more midnight mass, but something.” Anne still likes to come along: “I think it’s part of it. It’s just something we always do on Christmas Eve.”
“I have been campaigning for peace for twenty years,” says Ilse. “I think it is very important that a heart is filled with love and connection.” Her friend Anne is joining us for the first time. She has been invited by Ilse. “All those torches make me very happy. There are a surprising number of people despite the bad weather.”
