My first featured story here in Belgium is the annual spectacle in the city of Brugge (the Dutch term for Bruges). It may not be very popular knowledge, but in Bruges, you can find the relic believed to have the alleged blood of Jesus Christ. Every year during Ascension Day, the people of Bruges work together and bring to life the Biblical and historical stories through this procession called the Procession of the Holy Blood which spans more than 700 years. The Procession of the Holy Blood was created in 1304 as a way of showing gratitude and faith. About 1,800 participants sing, dance, play instruments, and act during the grand procession in a style reminiscent of the Burgundian era that is divided into four parts. These include the portrayals of the scenes from the Old and New Testaments, the historical part of how the relic of the Holy Blood ended up in Brugge, and lastly, the section where members of the Noble Brotherhood of the Holy Blood accompany the shrine in which the precious relic is stored. There were also about 250 workers, 200 live animals, and 13 floats in the procession. The procession starts at exactly 2:30 in the afternoon. This day is also dubbed “The Most Beautiful Day in Bruges”. It is the day when the city and its residents are celebrated as the whole town is filled with festivities, excitement, and great weather. Every year, a crowd of an estimated 40,000 people lines the streets waiting to witness this event. Dominique Deckers, who is the director of the Procession of the Holy Blood, oversees the rehearsals of these thousands of participants, ensuring the careful preservation of the tradition while also keeping an eye on modernization, especially since this event was given...... Read more on Full Issue!