Gelderse Koppen – TV Gelderland, with Harm Edens

NIJMEGEN- A contemporary pilgrimage route, independent of religion. That’s the Walk of Wisdom. This 136-km long tour around Nijmegen is an initiative of Damiaan Messing (42). 

He walked the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela twice. But both times he wondered why he would walk to the bones of a saint when he doesn’t believe in them. The Walk of Wisdom was born from that idea.  

Damien was looking for a way to connect people, regardless of appearance, money, status and power. According to Damien, a pilgrimage is the ideal way to create togetherness. It took him 4 years to develop and plot the route.

Since the opening of the Walk of Wisdom in June, 350 pilgrims have already registered. All pilgrims receive a starter kit with a leather lace and a pin in the shape of an icon so that they are recognizable as pilgrims. This icon was specially made by the artist couple Huub and Adelheid Kortekaas. The lace serves as a charm band. In each of the 11 municipalities along the route, the pilgrim can pick up a bird ring with the name of the municipality in it. At the end of the tour, it can be shown that the entire route has been walked.

The ultimate goal is a route around the world, with symbols and rituals that are gradually emerging. Harm Edens catches up Gelderland Heads Saturday together with Damiaan a part of the route.