Since 1682, the Virga Jesse Feesten has taken place in Hasselt. The city comes alive with music, decorations, and more. It only takes place every 7 years so we are lucky that 2010 is that "7th" year.
Mary, through the centuries, has had thousands of names, but in Hasselt she is known as "Virga Jesse" or translated: "Twig of Jesse." This symbolism has its origin in a Christian interpretation of a vision of the prophet Isaiah. The foster father of Jesus, Joseph, according to the biblical texts a descendant of King David, the son of Jesse. The name Virga Jesse is today known nowhere in the world to name a Madonna.
The streets downtown are decorated. Each street is different.
This is our street - Luikersteenweg.
When I look out my window, this is the house across the street.
There are children living there and they decorated their windows with pictures of Mary
and orange paper chains.
It makes me smile.
The Virga-Jesse Basilica in Hasselt stands where a member of the Fraternity of Our Lady built the Clerkenkapel in 1334. This first building was replaced by a church in late Baroque and early Classical Revival style in 1727. The second building was severely damaged by a V1 rocket in 1944, an attack which killed sixteen people. The rebuilt church was opened in 1951, and Pope John Paul II elevated the church to the status of basilica in 1998.
Most neighborhoods have a display or a live play depicting a miracle that occurred.
This is the miracle of a Moorish woman whose child was playing near the window and fell out.
The mother screamed for help and the Virgin Mary saved it from death.
Or something like that.
No doubt a miracle occurred here, I just don't know what it was.
This is the play that took place in our neighborhood - De Dolende Man.
It's about a man who has lost his way and the Virgin Mary helps him get back on track.
Or something like that.
What better way to fund the neighborhood play and decorations? Sell beer.
This beer is made at a local abbey and is labeled specially for the Dolende Man play in our neighborhood.
Here is Jim doing his part to support the neighborhood.
According to the legend, the city was saved from famine in the 16th century by pea soup distributed to the population. To this day there is a pea soup distribution as part of the Festival.
On the three consecutive Sundays during the festival, a procession goes through town. Here are a few pictures.
Flags indicating all the years this festival has taken place - every 7 years. Since 1682.
Every group that passed was chanting. I'm not sure what they were saying.
Some were singing and/or dancing.
There must have been a hundred groups in various costumes, saying prayers or singing.
This is a literal translation of the guide to this year's festival. As I've said before, Flemish doesn't always translate exactly to English. But you will of course get the point.
"The Virga Jesse Festival 2010 is an extension of a rich tradition in the city of Hasselaar. They are a monument not of stone and mortar, but of human togetherness.They are a blessing for our city we have not invented. They have us by previous generations in the lap. Today we in our turn the good and the beauty of the past to the next generations. The deep values of the seven annual event are difficult to put into words. Therefore the inhabitants of Hasselt show them to each other and to visitors in a deeply weathered party with a procession, street decorations, folk, Virga Jesse game, exhibitions and festive events. Thus the evidence Virga Jesse Festivals once more that engagement, reflection, celebration and cultural creativity in our city abound. Even today the successful Hasselaar around in the Virga Jesse a unity to bring in a wave of security and friendship, personal ideas, beliefs or political borders. Following the Seventh Year Hasselaar shows at its best: he shows his heart to his neighbors and everyone he meets."
So every seven years, for centuries, the people of Hasselt have come together to honor the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
This may be the most solemn parade I've ever watched. There were definitely no beauty queens, shriners, beads, or candy. I see that as a positive thing. And did I mention it lasted almost 2 hours? Oh, and notice the crowd. Yeah, it's mid-August and we're wearing a jacket.
It was an interesting event, don't think I'll see anything like this in the States, and I am very glad we were here to witness it.
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