Heiligdomsvaart

From June 30th up to and including July 10th 2011 the theme of the City of Maastricht will be the ‘Heiligdomsvaart’. For eleven days there will be a number of activities about the theme: ‘Towards the light’. Religious activities such as Processions, Prayer services and Relic shows, but also cultural activities such as Expositions, Music performances, Movies etc.

The ‘Heiligdomsvaart’ originates from a religious relics celebration, that has been celebrated for many centuries around the tomb of Saint Servaas, the first bishop of Maastricht who died in about the year 384. Large numbers of pilgrims still visit the basilica of Saint Servaas at the Vrijthof, built over the grave of this saint.

Religious Events
A solemn opening ceremony at the Saint Servaas Well in Biesland and a Celebration of the mass with full ceremony in the basilica of Saint Servaas at the Vrijthof will make up the start of a religious program of eleven days. Particularly in the basilica of Saint Servaas people will daily be able during Mass, a prayer service or a religious celebration to reflect on the theme: ‘Towards the light’.

Processions
Tens of thousands of visitors will again be able to enjoy the great Processions on Sunday July 3rd and on Sunday July 10th. The essence of the Processions is the Relic show, in which precious relics will be carried.

Cultural Events
Expositions in museums in Maastricht, among others with special objects of religious and other kinds of art in the Treasury of the Basilica of Saint Servaas, but also movies, music performances and theatre shows together make up the cultural program during the ‘Heiligdomsvaart 2011’.

Source: heiligdomsvaartmaastricht.nl