BOSCH PARADE history

Bosch Parade is a multidisciplinary show in the form of a parade floating by. Or rather, it is a parade in the form of a show with various smaller and larger artworks floating by on the Dommel River. Bosch Parade enables a wide audience to experience contemporary art inspired by the works and philosophy of Jheronimus Bosch. Bosch Parade is unique in the world, in terms of set-up and appearance.

Bosch Parade is a theatrical and musical art spectacle on water inspired by the works of Jheronimus Bosch (1450-1516). His world-famous artwork is loaded with symbolism, fantasies and absurdities, inspiring people to this day.

THE BOSCH PARADE’S ESSENCE

Bosch Parade wants to mobilise professional art to connect, inspire and surprise people, just like Jheronimus Bosch did 500 years ago – and still does. In this way, we enable all our spectators to perceive their surroundings as contemporary ‘Jheronimusses’, thus slightly transforming our world into a more authentic and social place to be.
The building blocks for the Bosch Parade ‘DNA’ are: originality, craftsmanship and power of expression. Let us elaborate on this for a moment.

ORIGINALITY

Bosch Parade delivers fresh, surprising and contemporary works of art upholding very high artistic standards, supported and carried out by the people of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the province of North Brabant and civil society.
The unique and very recognisable artistic signature of Bosch Parade is established by displaying works of art on water in the shape of a sailing parade, using the works of late medieval artist Jheronimus Bosch as an inspiration. Furthermore, Bosch Parade is made possible thanks to its multidisciplinary attitude – and the close collaboration with the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch and its inhabitants.

CRAFTSMANSHIP

Bosch Parade aims at delivering top quality to make this recurring event a success. The program is entirely developed by professional artists in various disciplines and carried out under their close supervision. Several new artistic layers are added, by working within a collective and by appointing a renowned artist to support the realisation of the entire concept. Through dialogue, the work surpasses individuality, yet respecting each individual’s signature and artistic freedom during performance.

POWER OF EXPRESSION

The impact of pieces of art on water is immense. Thousands of spectators, regardless of their age, education or nationality are touched by the contemporary art floating by through the fabulous scene of this medieval town. The mere fact that so many amateur performers and volunteers are active in Bosch Parade makes it a memorable event, and a fond memory for our visitors, for years to come.

HISTORY

In recent years, Bosch Parade has passed over the waters of ‘s-Hertogenbosch nine times. The sailing parade in the spirit of Hieronymus Bosch attracted 27,000 visitors in 2019, 36,000 in 2022. We are proud of that.