Ghent Festivals return this summer with over 3,000 activities
After a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festivals) will take place between 15 July and 24 July, with over 3,000 activities and events scheduled, the City announced on Friday when unveiling the program of festivities.
Half of the events will be free and almost five hundred cater specifically to children, Belga News Agency reports. With the previous two editions having been cancelled due to Covid-19, Ghent will celebrate again this summer with the theme of “renaissance”.
No additional days have been added, as had been suggested in the spring. Most of the events will take place at the Voorhoutkaai along the canal in the city centre.
“Everyone is welcome to attend the handover of the keys. The former Belgacom tower will serve as the setting for a sound and light show. Several famous and other anonymous heroes of the pandemic will be honoured and will participate in the event aboard a boat on the Lys,” city organisers confirmed.
Traditional fixtures of the festival, notably the fireworks display on the eve of 21 July, disappear. Yet other popular favourites will be in attendance, such as Raymond van het Groenewoud.
The City aims to make the festivities as accessible as possible: “Ten fully accessible activities are on the program, 65 reserved parking spaces will be set up for people with disabilities and additional adapted toilets have been planned. People with disabilities can also count on free assistance to discover the Gentse Feesten every day from 14:00.
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© BELGA PHOTO/ NICOLAS MAETERLINCK - Lightening show pictured during the opening of the 175th edition of the 'Gentse Feesten' city festival in Gent, Friday 13 July 2018.