Our history


A dive into history! A look back at how it all started and what developments the Vierdaagsefeesten went through.
How it all began
The 1969 Four Day MarchÂes were comÂpleteÂly overÂshadÂowed by the hisÂtorÂiÂcal lunar misÂsion ApolÂlo II, which launched on the WednesÂday of the Four Day MarchÂes from Cape Kennedy. On 20 July 1969 Neil ArmÂstrong became the first man to walk on the moon and spoke the well-known words ​‘one small step for man, but one giant leap for mankind.’
The oppoÂsite could have been said of the 53rd ediÂtion of the Four Day MarchÂes. The steps takÂen by the 15,000 walkÂers of the time went pretÂty much unnoÂticed. WalkÂers wantÂed to be back earÂly to watch the TV broadÂcast. And there was nothÂing going on in the Nijmegen city cenÂtre to make it interÂestÂing for them to stay.
The days that folÂlowed were even worse. On FriÂday afterÂnoon, the day of the finÂish, the shops closed their doors earÂly and the Nijmegen city cenÂtre was as empÂty as on a SunÂday afterÂnoon. It was the last sumÂmer before the introÂducÂtion of the SumÂmer FesÂtiÂval. The last sumÂmer withÂout what is now known as the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten. It was Nico GriÂjpink who drew attenÂtion to this right after the 1969 Four Day MarchÂes. Things had to change, he argued, or Nijmegen might lose the Four Day MarchÂes, which would migrate to anothÂer city. The responsÂes he got were very encourÂagÂing. On 15 SepÂtemÂber 1969, the first meetÂing of the organÂiÂsaÂtion comÂmitÂtee took place.
At the secÂond meetÂing, on 26 JanÂuÂary, the organÂisÂers already had an extenÂsive, albeit proÂviÂsionÂal, proÂgramme for 1970. But GriÂjpink wantÂed to involve the entire Nijmegen city cenÂtre. In April 1970 he sent out a pasÂsionÂate appeal to the city cenÂtre busiÂness ownÂers: ​‘We must save Nijmegen, or the Four Day MarchÂes will soon become a thing of the past.’ This led on 14 April 1970 to a hisÂtorÂiÂcal meetÂing at the CenÂtrum cinÂeÂma. A PR agency hired for the purÂpose came up with the idea of attachÂing a guilder coin to the inviÂtaÂtion sent out to all Nijmegen shop ownÂers with the words: ​‘This is your first profÂit’. GriÂjpink thought it too much of a good thing, and reduced the amount to one quarter.
The meetÂing drew a big crowd, and the fesÂtiÂval was born. After that new peoÂple appeared alongÂside Nico GriÂjpink: GerÂard van GroninÂgen, John Bertine, Charles de Mori, Ger LeenÂders, HerÂman BerÂtels, Piet BruÂins, and Frans Grootaarts. Giants on whose shoulÂders we stand today as we conÂtinÂue to help develÂop the fesÂtiÂval. ​‘A fesÂtiÂval that can nevÂer again be imagÂined anyÂwhere othÂer than in Nijmegen,’ GriÂjpink was quotÂed sayÂing in that year.
Dear peoÂple, this year we celÂeÂbrate the Festival’s 50th ediÂtion. I’m delightÂed with this opporÂtuÂniÂty to share with you the stoÂry of how this fesÂtiÂval was born, right now, at the start of our jubilee year. Many of you already know the stoÂry, yet it can’t be told often enough. And what resÂonates in it for me is the fact that Nico GriÂjpink saw it as an essenÂtial conÂdiÂtion that we do it all togethÂer. SomeÂthing that is as true today as it was then.
ForeÂword by WalÂter Hamers, Board PresÂiÂdent of StichtÂing VierÂdaagseÂfeesten, held at the AmbasÂsadors’ Club on 12 FebÂruÂary 2019.
The 1970s
From its earÂly days in 1970 the fesÂtiÂval went through a huge growth spurt. With incredÂiÂble effort a budÂget of 25,000 guilders was colÂlectÂed in 1970 to organÂise the first ediÂtion of what was known at the time as the ​‘SumÂmer FesÂtiÂval’: 5,000 guilders from the Event ComÂmitÂtee and 20,000 guilders from 500 shop ownÂers who each conÂtributed 40 guilders. RestauÂrant and café ownÂers, who were also invitÂed to conÂtribute, didn’t donate a cent. ​‘To ensure some extra music the Four Day MarchÂes marchÂing bands had to be ​‘bribed’ with 25 guilders to make an addiÂtionÂal round of the city after the finish.’
The Four Day MarchÂes Board was enthuÂsiÂasÂtic and some form colÂlabÂoÂraÂtion was sought with the KNBLO (RoyÂal Dutch League for PhysÂiÂcal EduÂcaÂtion). The Four Day MarchÂes route was even adjustÂed and since then, the walkÂing route of the secÂond day takes the walkÂers right through the cenÂtre of Nijmegen. In order to get the milÂiÂtary walkÂers from HeumenÂsoÂord to the city, free shutÂtle busÂes ran all week, and thouÂsands of Nijmegen citÂiÂzens took to the streets in large numbers.
A surÂvey conÂductÂed durÂing the fesÂtiÂval revealed that the ​‘SumÂmer FesÂtiÂval’ had genÂerÂatÂed 20%-60% surÂplus profÂit. In short, the fesÂtiÂval was a great sucÂcess and deserved to be repeated.
1971 saw the introÂducÂtion of the ​‘De Waal in Flames’ fireÂworks disÂplay, which conÂtinÂues to be inexÂtriÂcaÂbly linked to the fesÂtiÂval to this day. After some experÂiÂmenÂtaÂtion, the fesÂtiÂval found its curÂrent forÂmat in 1973, with a SatÂurÂday openÂing cerÂeÂmoÂny and a FriÂday evening closÂing cerÂeÂmoÂny. Plein’44 and the Grote Markt were the main venues in those earÂly days.
For the music proÂgramme the organÂisÂers drew on the mass of popÂuÂlar hit parade artists that floodÂed the NetherÂlands in those years. From Rob de Nijs to HerÂman Brood, and from CorÂrie KonÂings to the Dizzy Man’s Band. The conÂcerts of the ZanÂgeres zonÂder Naam (Singer withÂout a name), who was asked to come back for six conÂsecÂuÂtive years, were espeÂcialÂly legendary.
The 1980s
In the 1980s the SumÂmer FesÂtiÂval grew into a strong, colourÂful specÂtaÂcle that someÂtimes attractÂed as many as 800,000 parÂty-goers. The Nijmegen MunicÂiÂpalÂiÂty was charged with issuÂing perÂmits for terÂraces and kiosks and makÂing sure that the rules were respectÂed. This helped clarÂiÂfy what was availÂable where, an imporÂtant eleÂment in the safeÂty of the steadiÂly growÂing crowds who found their way to the festival.
In the mid-1980s, the authorÂiÂties strengthÂened their enforceÂment and monÂiÂtorÂing efforts. Where the rules were ignored, yelÂlow and red cards were issued. These organÂiÂsaÂtionÂal changes in the 1980s went comÂpleteÂly unnoÂticed by the pubÂlic, who conÂtinÂued to enjoy all that was on offer. The fesÂtiÂval was here to stay and the music proÂgramme was absoluteÂly phenomenal.
In 1985 the Valkhof was added to the list of fesÂtiÂval venues. The park, with its alterÂnaÂtive proÂgramme, was intendÂed as a restÂing point in the busÂtle and revÂelÂry of the city cenÂtre. It was an overnight sucÂcess. The alterÂnaÂtive proÂgramme and unique atmosÂphere added a speÂcial eleÂment to the festivities.
In the meanÂtime, the growÂing visÂiÂtor numÂbers were a cause for conÂcern. When would the fesÂtiÂval reach full capacÂiÂty, and how could pubÂlic order and safeÂty be safeÂguardÂed? In 1989, on the festival’s 20th ediÂtion, with a budÂget that for the first time exceedÂed 1 milÂlion guilders, the fesÂtiÂval organÂisÂers nevÂerÂtheÂless expressed the hope that the FesÂtiÂval would conÂtinÂue to attract as many visÂiÂtors as possible.
The 1990s
In 1992, the Nijmegen MunicÂiÂpalÂiÂty conÂductÂed a large-scale surÂvey among the fesÂtiÂval audiÂence. A short sumÂmaÂry: a total of 800,000 visÂiÂtors came to Nijmegen to attend the fesÂtiÂval. At least 80,000 of the 125,000 Nijmegen citÂiÂzens aged 15 and oldÂer visÂitÂed the fesÂtiÂval one or more times, 22% of the visÂiÂtors came from withÂin the region, 32% from othÂer parts of the NetherÂlands, and 6% from abroad (mostÂly the GerÂman borÂder area).
The surÂvey also helped refute the freÂquentÂly heard comÂplaint that the Four Day MarchÂes walkÂers were unable to take part in the fesÂtiÂval. ApproxÂiÂmateÂly 60%-70% of the walkÂers did attend the fesÂtivÂiÂties, usuÂalÂly on SunÂday, MonÂday and FriÂday. The profÂits exceedÂed 20 milÂlion guilders. 85% of the visÂiÂtors said they attendÂed the fesÂtivÂiÂties because of the great atmosÂphere in the city. The fesÂtiÂval was givÂen an averÂage ratÂing of 7.8.
By the mid-1990s the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten had grown into a masÂsive, enthralling and most imporÂtantÂly free music fesÂtiÂval spread across the entire city. The GevelÂconÂcert, which moved from its origÂiÂnal locaÂtion in the MolenÂstraat to the Grote Markt, feaÂtured appearÂances by ​‘dweilorkesten’ (traÂdiÂtionÂal Dutch CarÂniÂval orchesÂtras) and grew into a huge hit.
In 1993, the ​‘KunÂst in de Kerk’ (Art in the Church) project was launched in the St. Stevenskerk, with the intenÂtion of creÂatÂing an oasis of calm in the midst of the busy fesÂtiÂval. Young Dutch artists were invitÂed to exhibÂit their work and one famous artist was asked to creÂate an artÂwork inspired by Nijmegen: the Nijmegen engraving.
In 1998 the name ​‘ZomerÂfeesten’ (SumÂmer FesÂtiÂval) was changed to VierÂdaagseÂfeesten to strengthÂen and clarÂiÂfy the link with the VierÂdaagse (Four Day Marches).
The 21st century
ConÂviviÂalÂiÂty, crowds and proÂfesÂsionÂalÂism were the keyÂwords of the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten in the Noughties. WhereÂas at first the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten had been priÂmarÂiÂly supÂportÂed and organÂised by Nijmegen busiÂness ownÂers, by 2000, the fesÂtiÂval had grown too big for them. In parÂticÂuÂlar the safeÂty meaÂsures and required ​‘refurÂbishÂing of the city’ meant the fesÂtiÂval had become increasÂingÂly more expenÂsive. A shift towards ​‘the outÂside’ was needÂed to attract sponÂsors and othÂer financers.
In the secÂond large-scale pubÂlic surÂvey, held durÂing the2001 VierÂdaagseÂfeesten, visÂiÂtors gave the fesÂtiÂval the same rankÂing as in 1992: 7.8. Most responÂdents listÂed the atmosÂphere as their most imporÂtant reaÂson for attendÂing the fesÂtiÂval, and 75% of visÂiÂtors were hapÂpy with the music proÂgramme. ​‘The Waal in Flames’ and the GevelÂconÂcert conÂtinÂued to attract large crowds and the visÂiÂtors repÂreÂsentÂed all age groups. 42% of visÂiÂtors came from ​‘elseÂwhere in the NetherÂlands’, 38% from Nijmegen and surÂroundÂings, 15% from the wider region, and 5% from abroad.
In 2001, the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten attractÂed 1 milÂlion visÂiÂtors, makÂing it for the fifth conÂsecÂuÂtive year the best attendÂed event in the NetherÂlands. The fesÂtiÂval offered more than 100 perÂforÂmances by artists such as Venice, VoluÂmia, TwarÂres, Jody Bernal, Milk Inc and Di-rect. More than 250 cafés and restauÂrants jointÂly put out 20,000 terÂrace chairs.
In 2003, Frank BoeiÂjen perÂformed at the openÂing night in the St. Stevenskerk and gave an addiÂtionÂal conÂcert latÂer that night on the WaalkaÂde. DJ Tiesto was to be the greatÂest attracÂtion of the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten on the Matrixx podiÂum under the WaalÂbrug, but the Nijmegen MunicÂiÂpalÂiÂty unforÂtuÂnateÂly had to canÂcelled his perÂforÂmance for safeÂty reasons.
2005 was a sucÂcessÂful year with 150 terÂraces and 30 music podiÂums in the Nijmegen city cenÂtre. The festival’s sucÂcess was also apparÂent from the fact that a large numÂber of visÂiÂtors came to the exhiÂbiÂtion in the church and more than 60,000 visÂiÂtors enjoyed the fireÂworks and music disÂplay on the Waalkade.
In 2006 the Four Day MarchÂes had to be canÂcelled due to a heat wave, which resultÂed in a very speÂcial year for the fesÂtiÂval. All podiÂums in the city observed a one-minute silence, as a preÂlude to a more subÂdued and respectÂful fesÂtiÂval edition.
While the2007 VierÂdaagseÂfeesten organÂisÂers ran around dealÂing with toiÂlet probÂlems, stands that had to be adeÂquateÂly fire-proofed, squares that were nearÂly reachÂing full capacÂiÂty, proÂgramme changes, the weathÂer, and many othÂer things, the visÂitÂing crowds focused on enjoyÂing themÂselves. On FriÂday, the WaalkaÂde was turned into a one-way trafÂfic sysÂtem for the first-time – which greatÂly helped reduce conÂgesÂtion on the quay.
The 2008 VierÂdaagseÂfeesten ranked first in the Top 100 Event MonÂiÂtor. Big fesÂtiÂval artists made an appearÂance, includÂing Room Eleven, Nick & Simon, SteÂvie Ann, Claw Boys Claw, Moke, Alain Clarke, MemÂphis ManiÂacs, VoicÂst, Bosshoss, CCC Inc, Leaf, Van Velzen, Beef, Mark FogÂgo, Don DiaÂblo and Gabriel Rios. The week was conÂcludÂed with a roarÂing conÂcert by rock band Normaal.
The good weathÂer, the great diverÂsiÂty of music and theÂatre perÂforÂmances, the qualÂiÂty improveÂments on the preÂcedÂing years and the increasÂing diverÂsiÂty among visÂiÂtors all conÂspired to make 2010 a top year. More than 1.4 milÂlion visÂiÂtors saw more than 2100 artists perÂform on the 30 fesÂtiÂval podiÂums, while 325 addiÂtionÂal trains were put on to transÂport the visitors.
The 2010s
StichtÂing VierÂdaagseÂfeesten shiftÂed its role from organÂisÂer to direcÂtor. Instead of volÂunÂteers, the fesÂtiÂval was now in the hands of proÂfesÂsionÂals, and instead of actÂing from a posiÂtion of authorÂiÂty, the organÂiÂsaÂtion focused on colÂlabÂoÂraÂtion and broadÂly supÂportÂed deciÂsions. SteerÂing groups were creÂatÂed, conÂsistÂing of citÂiÂzens, visÂiÂtors and busiÂness ownÂers, allowÂing us to gathÂer exterÂnal input. Behind the scenes, we worked on furÂther proÂmotÂing susÂtainÂabilÂiÂty and innovation.
AccordÂing to visÂiÂtors, the top 5 activÂiÂties of the 2011 VierÂdaagseÂfeesten were: the WaalkaÂde, Matrixx, the Waal in Flames, the St. Stevenskerk, and the openÂing proÂcesÂsion. To spread the crowds throughÂout the city cenÂtre the fesÂtiÂval proÂgramme was broad and popÂuÂlar artists were spread over the 28 difÂferÂent podiÂums. It was a great sucÂcess in crowd management.
InnoÂvaÂtions that were introÂduced in 2012 includÂed PET glassÂes, the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten loyÂalÂty pass, theÂatre on the WaalkaÂde, the ​‘Keep the fesÂtiÂval free; buy your beer at the bar’ camÂpaign, the creÂation of perÂmaÂnent water taps, and a more extenÂsive children’s programme.
ProfÂits in the city cenÂtre increased by €6 milÂlion in 2013, up to a total of €38 milÂlion. When asked what they enjoyed most about the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten, visÂiÂtors most freÂquentÂly answered ​‘the atmosÂphere’ (69%). 15% of responÂdents listÂed othÂer aspects, includÂing ​‘the diverse activÂiÂties’, ​‘the fact that it lasts a week and is free of charge’, ​‘the peoÂple’, ​‘the music’ and the ​‘VierÂdaagseÂfeesten reunion feeling.’
2014 was an excepÂtionÂal year: with the FIFA World Cup in the leadÂing role, comÂbined with tropÂiÂcal temÂperÂaÂtures, and on ThursÂday evening the crash of the MH17. The one-minute silence on FriÂday was impresÂsiveÂly respectÂful, as was whole crowds singing along to ​‘You’ll NevÂer Walk Alone’. It was a week in which we came to underÂstand that the fesÂtiÂval was not only about havÂing fun, but also about being togethÂer and sharÂing our expeÂriÂences and emotions.
In 2015 the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten were ratÂed 8.6. 32% of the visÂiÂtors came from the wider region and 44% from Nijmegen. 25% came from the rest of the NetherÂlands and abroad. This meant many peoÂple postÂponed going on holÂiÂday until after the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten. The 3% of visÂiÂtors who came from abroad still repÂreÂsentÂed an impresÂsive 45,000 people.
The surÂvey also showed that 62% of visÂiÂtors came back to Nijmegen for a return visÂit. This meant that throughÂout the year, 870,000 peoÂple returned for anothÂer visÂit because they were inspired durÂing the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten. 24% of fesÂtiÂval visÂiÂtors stayed with famÂiÂly, friends, in a hotel or on a campÂing site durÂing the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten. ClearÂly, Nijmegen was found to be a very hosÂpitable city!
2016 marked the 100th ediÂtion of the Nijmegen Four Day MarchÂes. This meant an even bigÂger parÂty and more activÂiÂties in Nijmegen, bapÂtised for the occaÂsion ​‘the SumÂmer CapÂiÂtal of HolÂland’. 1,508,500 visÂiÂtors came to the Nijmegen city cenÂtre. Spread over an area of 22,000 m2, 4500 artists gave more than 1040 perÂforÂmances. The brand-new city island on the othÂer side of the Waal was used for the first time by theÂatre fesÂtiÂval Op ​’t Eiland.
In 2017 it became apparÂent that the city could hanÂdle many more visÂiÂtors still. In part thanks to the extendÂed dayÂtime proÂgramme, the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten attractÂed a record numÂber of 1,525,000 visÂiÂtors. The busÂtle did not affect the atmosÂphere: the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten were still ratÂed 8.5 on averÂage, with 58% of visÂiÂtors realÂly enjoyÂing the atmosÂphere, and 40% being satÂisÂfied. 96% of visÂiÂtors indiÂcatÂed that they often or always felt safe while attendÂing the events.
VisÂiÂtor numÂbers conÂtinÂued to grow in 2018. For the first time in the festival’s 49 years, the magÂiÂcal threshÂold of 1.6 milÂlion visÂiÂtors was crossed. The averÂage age of visÂiÂtors was 29. FewÂer and fewÂer peoÂple came to the city by car: 37% came by bike and 25% by train. A trend fulÂly in line with Nijmegen’s green and susÂtainÂable ambiÂtions, and its 2018 title of ​‘EuroÂpean Green Capital’.
In 2019 the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten celÂeÂbratÂed their 50th anniverÂsary. Among the 1,625,000 visÂiÂtors, the most popÂuÂlar venues were Matrixx at the Park and Matrixx Live on the Quay, with perÂforÂmances by famous artists. Thanks to the disÂtriÂbÂuÂtion of 25% addiÂtionÂal bin bags and an awareÂness camÂpaign, the streets remained surÂprisÂingÂly clean. With ideÂal temÂperÂaÂtures between 20oC and 24oC Nijmegen busiÂness ownÂers could count on makÂing a seriÂous profÂit: an imporÂtant pre-conÂdiÂtion for keepÂing the VierÂdaagseÂfeesten free of charge.
2020
After an uninÂterÂruptÂed 50-year stint, the 2020 VierÂdaagseÂfeesten were canÂcelled because of the coroÂnÂavirus. But Nijmegen was by no means desertÂed: while respectÂing the 1.5 metre disÂtancÂing meaÂsures, the terÂraces still manÂaged to be full all week. There were also many surÂprisÂing iniÂtiaÂtives, from small-scale perÂforÂmances at indoor locaÂtions to creÂative treaÂsure hunts through the city. For those who remained at home, a sevÂen-part proÂgramme was broadÂcast, entiÂtled VierÂdaagseÂfeesten with Omroep GelderÂland.