Dendermonde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Dendermonde city authorities have launched an extensive initiative to restore the Ros Beiaard and the 3 Gildereuzen. By 2029, the Ros Beiaard needs full restoration because the next procession will take place in 2030.
The town of Dendermonde selects the Ros Beiaard and the 3 Gildereuzen for their extensive restoration. The Ros Beiaard will need full restoration by 2029 since the next procession will occur in 2030.
The city performed its previous renovation in 2022, just months before delaying the Horse procession because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A basic renovation process took place at that moment. The city has initiated plans for complete restoration to be finished by 2029.
Our Horse Carillon and the Guild Giants are, of course world heritage and have been around for centuries, but a thorough renovation was not done since 1958,
says Mayor of Dendermonde Leen Dierick (CD&V).
In general, the condition of our horse is good, but there are certainly some points of attention,
says Dierick.
Inspection results showed that the wood suffered from cracks while dust and insect damage occurred alongside metal corrosion and saddle deterioration. City restoration specialists will start their work in 2027. During the 2022 Ros Beiaard procession in Dendermonde, the number of attendees exceeded 100,000 individuals. The restoration timeline of 2029 has been established by the city to ensure the well-known figures will be in perfect condition for the 2030 parade.
What is the historical and cultural significance of the Ros Beiaard?
The Ros Beiaard and the 3 Gildereuzen represent key elements of Dendermonde’s cultural history, which received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005. Local tradition dictates that the Ros Beiaard procession occurs only once every decade to affirm Dendermonde’s strength and pride in institutions dating from the Middle Ages. People celebrate the campaign through events which honour a mythic horse along with four brothers known across medieval history.
Numerous visitors attended the 2022 procession, which showed strong public interest in this event. Since 1958, the Ros Beiaard has received no substantial repair project, although critical maintenance work took place in 2022. Monumentenwacht Vlaanderen experts discovered wood cracks and insect damage alongside corrosion, which led the city to plan a full restoration project to take place by 2029.
