Lichtjesroute

Today, we did the Lichtjesroute (Tour of Lights) in Eindhoven. From 1945 until 1969, the city of Eindhoven commemorated its liberation after WW II by way of the Lichtjesroute. In the beginning it were just candles and light bulbs in windows, later there were light ornaments on houses, lamp posts and in parks. After 1969 the tradition died, but it was restored in 1984. Since then the Lichtjesroute is repeated every year, by making a 22 km route through Eindhoven, that is illuminated by lights ornaments and displays, using all modern illumination techniques.

Living in or near Eindhoven, doing the Lichtjesroute is a must. So this was the night for Emma and Janne. On weekends, you have to stand in line and the tour takes up to three hours, due to heavy traffic on the route. Now (Monday) it only took us one hour and ten minutes. Just about right for Emma and Janne on a school night. It felt a bit like lantern festival ...

They really loved all the light ornaments and displays and they were shouting the name of every new item they saw. When they're a bit bigger, we might try doing the tour by bike. For now, the car will do. Which was good today, because it rained :-)

Big display in the Hendrik de Keijzer pond

Cute animal display in the same pond

Another display, firetruck this time

Smurf ornament on a wall

For more pictures of the ornaments and displays, go to the Lichtjesroute website (see link above) and click on Beeldarchief