Tall Ships Races Harlingen 2022 is over. The tallships are on their way to Antwerp. For four days, the sailing giants could be admired in Harlingen: the Friesian port welcomed an estimated 300,000 visitors. The well-attended Sail Out Parade, the sailing out of the tallships, was a bittersweet experience for many on Sunday. 'Because this was an unforgettable experience. Then the farewell is always a bit sad.'
Visitors took a look on board the tallships moored in Willemshaven and in the city centre, at Zuiderhaven. Audiences enjoyed the artists on Harbour Stage and Beach Island, where there was a full and free music programme for four days. Omrop Fryslân broadcast the whole event live on radio and television.
On Friday, the audience entertained itself with the Crew Parade, among other things: a cheerful and musical parade of crew members through Harlingen. At the concerts on Friday and Saturday night, the Willemshaven was packed and the Sail Out Parade on Sunday also produced unprecedented crowds. On the quays, the public was lined up in rows. Tens of thousands of interested visitors accompanied the departure of the ships with applause.
Festival
'It was an unprecedented happy maritime festival,' says Lieuwe Krol, project director of the organising Harlingen Sail. 'We were lucky, of course, as the weather conditions were fantastic. But we had to hang the garlands ourselves and the team did a great job. I am incredibly proud of them.' Also for the first time: the days ended with a light show instead of setting off fireworks. 'Harlingen harbour is adjacent to Unesco World Heritage Site Wadden Sea. We produced the event as sustainably as possible, without plastic and with a lot of recycled materials. No polluting fireworks fit in with that.'
Mayor Ina Sjerps also expressed satisfaction. 'So many people visiting and not a single noteworthy incident. Everyone deserves a huge compliment. The entire team in Harlingen that has been working extremely hard for a year and a half, all the volunteers, our visitors and of course the people of Harlingen. Everyone has contributed to perhaps the most beautiful Tall Ships Races Harlingen to date. I am, like many Harlingeners, proud of mien stadsje.'
