DEVENTER, Netherlands (AP) — On Saturday, the Dutch city of Deventer embraced a 19th-century English atmosphere, as 950 participants donned authentic costumes, bringing to life beloved characters from the works of Charles Dickens. Among them were iconic figures like Oliver Twist, Ebenezer Scrooge, and Miss Havisham, who interacted with chimney sweeps, livestock, and Christmas carolers in the city’s charming historic center. The occasion was so grand that onlookers even bowed in reverence as Queen Victoria made her entrance.
The celebration, now in its 32nd year, draws around 100,000 visitors annually from across the Netherlands and beyond, according to event organizers. The popularity of the festival results in large crowds, eager to navigate the narrow cobblestone streets filled with festive cheer.
Merchants lined the streets selling antiques and gingerbread, while performers dressed as pickpockets playfully dodged capture, attempting to escape being thrown into a mock Marshalsea Prison, a nod to Dickens’ literature. Sandra Nieland, who portrayed Queen Victoria, explained her attire: “In her youth, she was a stunning queen. In her later years, she wore black to mourn her husband, Albert, and preferred to adorn herself with her rings rather than elaborate accessories.”
This remarkable event was inspired by a protest led by Emmy Strik, who wanted to defy regulations preventing her antique shop from opening on Sundays. Strik and fellow shopkeepers took to the streets dressed in period costumes, and what began as a protest has blossomed into a cherished annual festival. Now 84, Strik has amassed a collection of over 1,000 Dickensian costumes for the occasion, ensuring a truly immersive experience.
The festival’s organizers uphold a strict dress code, requiring participants to avoid any clothing or accessories from after the 1800s. Stef Jongbloed, an amateur street performer, expressed his excitement, saying, “In addition to specific characters, many people dress up for the sheer joy of it and spend the entire day enjoying the event together. That sense of community and fun is what makes it so special.”
