Netherlands town celebrates floral parade and community spirit
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In Zundert, Netherlands, residents spent months preparing for the annual Corso Fleuri, a dahlia parade recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage tradition.
Giovanni Dobbe, a 19-year-old local, and many others dedicated their free time since May to building and decorating a float representing their community for the event. The Corso Fleuri began in 1936 and has grown into the world’s largest dahlia parade. Twenty local communities, called “hameaux”, compete by creating elaborate floats adorned with dahlias.
Each hameau relies on dozens or hundreds of volunteers to cultivate the flowers, construct the floats, and present them to the public. Bas Noorden, a representative from one hameau, described the event as a deeply collaborative effort that fosters a strong sense of community. Participants enjoy the shared experience and the chance to work alongside people of all ages and backgrounds, even without financial compensation.
After the parade, the floats remained on display until Monday, showcasing themes ranging from commedia dell’arte to the plight of children affected by war.
