Dutch floral flotilla will no longer anchor in The Hague

Last year marked the first time the Floating Flower Parade sailed through the scenic canals of The Hague. Photo credit: Varend Corso Westland/Arnaud Roelofsz.

A few days before Christmas, the city council of The Hague announced it has pulled out of the Dutch Floating Flower Parade.

The organisers told FCI that Hague’s decision came unexpectedly and is a huge blow for all involved in the event.

Last year, the Dutch Floating Flower Parade (in Dutch aka Varend Corso) sailed for the first time through the waters of The Hague where it was warmly welcomed by thousands of well-wishers. Without financial support from the city, it no longer viable to anchor in The Hague. As a result, the event will ditch its ‘fourth sailing day’ and return to its original three-day format.

This year marks the Parade’s 24th anniversary. The floral flotilla, which sets off at the end of June each year, will sail through Westland, Midden-Delfland, Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Maassluis, Rijswijk, and the beautiful city of Delft. The 2023 theme is ‘On Stage.’

Volunteers (without whom there would be no Floating Flower Parade!), sponsors, and other professionals from the Dutch horticultural community are excited about next year’s ‘On Stage’ theme. Organisers have asked participating vessels – some of them have already reserved their spot – to revel in all things ‘On Stage’ with everything from the world of musicals to opera and broadway up for the celebration.

The 2023 theme falls in the footsteps of last year’s theme, ‘Finally Showtime’ and will provide plenty of inspiration for over 60 boats which will be lavishly decked out with flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables, all grown in the Netherlands’ most famous horticultural region of Westland.

The 24th edition of the Floating Flower Parade will open on Friday, 23 June 2023 and pass through the Dutch canals until Sunday, 25 June 2023.

Last year, the event was finally back after a two-year hiatus due to Corona and proved it still has what it takes to wow audiences with a spectacular and energetic floral flotilla.

More recently, UNESCO awarded Dutch ‘corsos’ with the intangible cultural heritage status.

For more information, visit www.varendcorso.nl

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