Blooming marvellous: Dutch flower parades added to Unesco heritage list

The Dutch tradition of corsos – or parades of vehicles decorated with flowers and fruit – has been added to the Unesco intangible cultural heritage list, the organisation said on Wednesday.

The recognition applies to the spring bulb processions in the main tulip areas, the autumn dahlia corsos and the Tiel fruit corso.

In total, the Netherlands has some 30 groups which organise processions of decorated floats at specific times of the year. Most are by truck but some, such as the Giethoorn school procession, are on the water.

Paul Bastiaansen of the umbrella Corsokoepel told broadcaster NOS he is delighted with the recognition. ‘It reinforces the importance of the corso tradition, and that local authorities should cherish them,’ he said.

The biggest of the corsos is the flower procession in the main bulb producing area which is scheduled to take place on April 19 this year.