‘The Parade of Earthly Delights’ is an annual festival that celebrates one of the most bizarre paintings in art history. The floating parade honors ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights,’ a late 15th-century painting created by the Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch. The yearly event replicates the absurd and fantastical atmosphere of this famous painting, and it’s certainly one of the strangest festivals we’ve ever seen!
‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ by Hieronymus Bosch (1490-1510)
Before we share some images of the festivity, take a look at ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights,’ the original inspiration of the parade.
The famous Renaissance painting is a triptych, and the three panels together tell a story of humanity gradually succumbing to the earthly temptations and abandoning God, thus ending up in hell on Earth (in the rightmost panel). Like most Medieval paintings, this artwork has a deep moral and religious message, but in more recent years, it’s also valued for its absurd aesthetic.
The Bosch Parade closely replicates the bizarre atmosphere of Bosch’s masterpiece while maintaining a lighthearted and feel-good tone. For example, the 2019 Bosch Parade featured a live musical performance played on a piano that was partly submerged in water.
Visitors can view hundreds of performers dressed in colorful costumes creating a narrated spectacle that marries music, dance, and theater in one. The organizers describe the event as “a theatrical and musical art spectacle on water.”
The yearly parade occurs in the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, Bosch’s hometown, in mid-June. The Dommel River in ‘s-Hertogenbosch turns into the stage for the parade that attracts thousands of spectators.
We feature several photos from previous years’ Bosch Parade in this post. If you’re intrigued and want to learn more about the 2022 Bosch Parade, you can also visit the Bosch Parade Website, Facebook Page, and Instagram Page for more information.
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