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Nijmegen 4 day marching (The Netherlands)

Nijmegen vierdaagse (Nederland)

by Gerard van der Vaart, 16 July 2001

Nijmegen Vierdaagse
KNBLO

KNBLO Coat of Arms

Nijmegen 4 day Walking Event

(1) Indeed the Nijmegen 4days walking flag is plain green with centered orange cross.
(2) There's also a more elaborate flag used at the Nijmegen 4days event with yellow lion etc. in upper left corner / canton:

I don't know exactly the difference in meaning of both flags. (1) seems to be used for flying by private citizens. (2) seems to be used by KNBLO, organiser of the event, and some participating organisations. Flag (2) even has a NSN (NATO Stock Number). As far as I know, in Dutch both flags are called "Vierdaagse Vlag" (Fourdays Flag).

The Nijmegen 4days walking event dates back to the early 20th century. Private citizens, but also military personnel, from countries all over the world, attend the event. Every year the event has an opening ceremony called Vlaggenparade (Flag Parade). Military and civilian groups show lots of flags during the event. The last day, when reentering Nijmegen, the over 30.000 participants are welcomed by many 100.000s of people with flowers (gladiolus), hence the name Via Gladiola for the last kms of the parcours in Nijmegen. The 85th edition starts Tuesday 17 July [2001 Ed].

Nijmegen (Roman name: Noviomagus) is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Charlemagne had a palace (palts) there. Hence the alternative name "Karelstad" (City of Charlemagne). The palts was demolished during French occupation ca. 1800, but up until now the coat of arms of Nijmegen shows a double-headed eagle, see http://www.nijmegen.nl and http://www.ngw.nl/n/nymegen.htm. In WWII, Nijmegen was severely damaged in the days of the battle of Arnhem (just 20km North). Today it is a still_going_strong vivid city, hosting an well-known university.
Gerard van der Vaart, 16 July 2001

The (2) gif is from the KNBLO (see below) [Ed]

KNBLO - Royal Dutch Association for Physical Training

by Gerard van der Vaart, 16 July 2001

KNBLO = Koninklijke Nederlandsche Bond voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding.

KNBLO Coat of Arms

image from the KNBLO website (link lost)

The scroll reads: "Willen is Kunnen" - who really wants can do it!