Amsterdam (AP) – crowds have thrilled views along a major channel and took the water themselves on Wednesday to watch a flotilla of hundreds of historic ships sail in Amsterdam At the start of a five -day festival celebrating the maritime history of the Dutch capital.
Ships from around the world, many of whom with their masts and their rigging decorated with flags, left the coastal city of the North Sea of Ijmuiden during a time trip to the Canal de la Mer du Nord and in the IJ waterway of Amsterdam for 2025 sail, the first edition in a decade.
A puff of orange smoke broke out in the sky and that the horns of the ships resounded while the replica of the Stad with three masts, Amsterdam, passed through a lock to mark the official start of the event. Each ship is welcomed with two cannon shots and the national anthem of his country while he enters the port.
Hugo Peek was one of the thousands of people who sailed in small boats with large ships. With his grandfather and several other family members, he traveled on a small boat that accompanied the large Europa ship.
“There was almost no water. They are almost all boats,” said the 21 -year -old student.
Mahek Singahl was waiting at Amsterdam central station, looking at the port with its two small children and several large suitcases. His family had returned to Côte d’Ivoire after holidays in Iceland and had stopped in Amsterdam for a few days. They did not know what the crowd used for.
“My husband went to watch the boats and left me here,” she said laughing. “He likes this thing.”
The event, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, takes place every five years. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVVI-19 pandemic.
The Wednesday parade culminates in an evening fireworks. The ships will stay in Amsterdam, many of which open for visitors, throughout the weekend.
The first event took place for the first time in 1975 to celebrate Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary and this year’s edition coincides with the city’s 750th anniversary.
