How is all began….
Where a bond of friendship between two cities can lead, a tree has been coming from Kongsberg in Norway to Gouda since 1956.
It began in 1952 with the Kongsberg Byorkester’s visit to the International Festival for Wind Orchestras and Fanfares in the Gouda Cattle Market Halls (now the Nieuwe Marktpassage).
In 1956, Gouda Alderman Harry Hagendorn wrote a letter to the conductor of the Norwegian Orchestra. He referred to the successful festival and asked if Gouda could receive a Christmas tree from Kongsberg. The conductor responded enthusiastically and passed the request on to the Kongsberg Alderman. The Norwegian Alderman, Mr. Guttorm Friis, liked the idea also, and selected a tree, which arrived in Gouda on December 12th.
In return, the mayor and aldermen sent Gouda cheese, Gouda pipes, and Gouda candles to Kongsberg.
The first candlelight evening
The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Candle Factory initiated Candlelight Evening.
In 1958, the Gouda Candle Factory celebrated its centenary. On May 22nd, all the windows of the town hall were lit with candles as part of the festive program. Several Gouda business owners found this so special that they decided to repeat the event on the evening the Christmas tree lights were switched on. Thus, Candle Night was born.
All electric lights were turned off, and candles were also lit in most of the windows in the Market Square. 1,500 candles were needed to illuminate the town hall windows alone.