Building bridges!
4 May 2016. Usually this day I’m at the Trajanusplein in Nijmegen. To commemorate the dead together with many fellow citizens. This evening there were 2 of us, Damiaan and me. After having already walked a lovely walk on the Walk of wisdom path, we decided to hold the two minutes of silence at this bridge. The Filosofenbrug, located near the route in the beautiful nature reserve Duivelsberg near Berg en Dal. Commemorating the dead with the Devil and that the day before Ascension? The moment was special, the experience and place all the more.
You can’t help but come to a halt in this place. Standing still, not just going on and on, but taking time for reflection. According to tradition, many a Roman philosopher retreated to this place many years ago to give his mind to things as only philosophers seem to do. But that’s not true. On the way to your (stubborn) wisdom, this bridge and its surroundings are the ideal place to stop for a while, to contemplate life or to think about nothing at all.
Unless, of course, that bridge collapses, and that threatens to happen. Due to budget cuts, the Forestry Commission does not have the money to pay the 10,000 euros for a new bridge. Just when we were thinking about how we could contribute to this, a man and a woman approached from the other side of the valley. Forcefully our eyes were drawn to each other and after a short explanation of our intention, the wallet was drawn. These generous donors shared our feelings about this place on the bridge that not only connects two sides of a chasm, but also connects the four of us.
As an ambassador, I want to dedicate myself to the renovation and preservation of this Philosopher’s Bridge. Only with everyone’s contribution can we maintain this bridge and with it a unique place in our fast-paced society. A place where you can be alone with your thoughts, but also one that fraternizes and makes connections on an evening like this. Come over the bridge and sponsor the Philosopher’s Bridge Together we can give this wise, old bridge a future. If we succeed, we can ‘immortalize’ an inspiring or philosophical statement on the bridge.
I therefore fully support the following proverb that was proposed by the two hikers to place on the bridge for reflection:
Together we are a bridge
Yes, I sponsor the Philosopher’s Bridge!
Hans van de Louw
Ambassador Summer Pilgrimage Walk of Wisdom
More about the Philosopher’s Bridge: link
More about the Summer Pilgrimage sponsor run: link
