Every year on the first Tuesday after Pentecost, the "Dancing Procession" (Sprangpressessioun) takes place in Echternach, the oldest town in Luxembourg.
According to one legend, the history of this procession dates back to 1347. At that time, the abbey and its surroundings were struck by an epidemic, and the residents of Echternach decided to hold a religious procession, believing it would help stop the spread of the disease.
Today, the procession consists of pilgrims and musicians who travel through the entire town, covering a distance of about one and a half kilometers while performing a unique dance. This dance resembles hopping: a step to the right and forward, a step to the left and forward. Participants in the procession stand in rows of 5-6 people, holding the ends of triangular scarves. As soon as the music starts, the procession begins to hop.
Each year, the procession attracts thousands of pilgrims and spectators from Luxembourg and neighboring countries. Since 2010, the dancing procession has been included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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