55 Years, One Story: Help Build the Netherlands’ Largest Photo Collage

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Posted: 01 May 2026, 10:00 hour

55 Years, One Story: Help Build the Netherlands’ Largest Photo Collage

The Vierdaagsefeesten are celebrating a major milestone this year: the 55^th edition. To make this anniversary year extra special, the Mariënburg Chapel is being transformed into a massive Vierdaagsefeesten exhibition. The centerpiece of the historic chapel will be the largest IXXI photo collage in the Netherlands, featuring images from both official archives and personal visitor collections. The organization is looking for hundreds of photos that together tell the story of the event from 1970 to the present day. They are calling on all visitors to share their favorite memories.

What began as an initiative to get the people of Nijmegen off their couches and away from their televisions has grown into the largest free-to-access event in the Netherlands. In 1969, the Four Days Marches were overshadowed by the historic moon landing, leaving the walkers and the city center uncharacteristically quiet.

That had to change. With the founding of the Vierdaagsefeesten (then known as the Zomerfeesten or Summer Festivities) in 1970, the city center finally regained the vibrant energy it had been missing. Now, 55 editions later, the circle is complete. While the first festivities were an indirect response to the moon landing craze, the new generation of space travel serves as inspiration once again. Fittingly, Moonlanders has joined as a partner for this anniversary exhibition.

Your Photo as Part of the Masterpiece

A cornerstone of the exhibition is a massive art piece constructed from hundreds of personal memories shared by visitors. Together, these submitted photos create a visual history of 55 editions of the Vierdaagsefeesten, a project truly made for and by the city itself. The campaign’s message is straightforward: “Your memory is part of the 55th edition.” This isn't about polished marketing materials; it's about authentic photos of real moments. From nostalgic snapshots of the 1970s and grainy captures from the 2000s to a quick photo from last year, every single entry adds to the city’s collective memory. To bring this vision to life, the organization is partnering with IXXI, a local Nijmegen company known for modular wall decor. Annelotte de Meijer, representing the Vierdaagsefeesten, highlights how vital the public’s contribution is, explaining that the festival truly belongs to the people and that no official archive can capture the heart of the event quite like the personal moments captured by the visitors themselves.

Visit the Exhibition

Inside the Mariënburgkapel, visitors can explore three storylines regarding what the festivities mean to the visitors, the organization, and the city of Nijmegen. The highlight is the six-meter-high photo collage where all these individual stories merge into one visual whole.

How can you participate?
You can upload your photo(s) via the button below. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2026.

Upload your pictures here!

Local Collaboration

To collect as many stories as possible, the organization is partnering with local institutions: the Bibliotheek Gelderland Zuid: Acts as a physical drop-off point where volunteers can scan old analog photos. En the city of Nijmegen and various amateur photography clubs are also supporting the search for this unique historical record.

Do you have a photo of your first Vierdaagsefeesten love, an iconic moment on the Waalkade, or a nostalgic image that perfectly captures the atmosphere of the past? Share your story and become part of history.