450 people at the opening Walk of Wisdom – report and preview

Opening Walk of Wisdom by Ger Loeffen copyright

First pilgrims waved goodbye

Opening ceremony big party with 450 visitors

On 21 June, the Stevens Church in Nijmegen hosted the opening of the Walk of Wisdom and the presentation ofSeasons of Life

: a contemporary book of  hours and pilgrims.

It was a big party with 450 visitors and 71 pilgrims. In the evening, the pilgrims were caught up at Huize Wylerberg with a special open stage. 

Photo above: Manja Bente,  symbolic first pilgrim, leads pilgrims out of the church.
Through Ger Loeffen (copyright).

Good luck! What’s next?

With success comes the organizational challenges. 

Walk of Wisdom is a volunteer organization. We were able to open thanks 158 sponsors that €10 or more. Thanks!

More than half of Our target amount (€12,500) has been reached.

We are now looking for sponsors for the other half and pre-financing for the icon pins in the starter pack. We can only afford small orders, resulting in delays in delivery time and high unit prices.

Support or advice is very welcome! Mail [email protected]

Photo: Mayor Bruls (Nijmegen) and Roolvink (Grave) hand out the first pins together with Said Bouharrou, mosque board member. By Saskia Janssen.

Not pictured: mayors Van Eerd (Beuningen) and De Koning (Gennep). Willeke van de Wielen (Santiago pilgrim) and Daantje and Meijne Snoek (5 and 7 years old) also helped. 

Vacancy treasurer

The Walk of Wisdom Foundation is looking for an experienced treasurer in the short term who can strengthen the board. 

Preferably living in Nijmegen and surroundings, subservient and flexible in mind with the ability to think big and execute small. 

Pilgrim’s lace catches on
Pilgrims who walk the route receive a shoelace with a bird ring with registration number and year. In the eleven municipalities they collect bird rings with the name of the municipalities. 

Photo: for Heleen Litmaath and partner Martijn van Bergen, the lace became a symbol of solidarity. They celebrated their ten years together on the route. 

Remarkable: The route appears to be in the shape of a flying bird (link).
Walter Hamers, chairman of the board of the Four Days Marches Festivities as a pilgrim of the Walk of Wisdom. Hamers ran on the theme of freedom. With route guide and icon Pilgrim designed by artist duo Huub and Adelheid Kortekaas.
Special thanks to Huis van de Binnenstad Nijmegen for sponsoring the opening ceremony. Warm words also for MHB steel doors and windows and Pyschotherapy practice de Vrije Ruimte for their very generous sponsorship. Main sponsor: Intermedi-art Art Affairs,  publication and financing of Seasons of Life and pre-financing of our route guide.
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