World Peace Flame marks 22 years in Cadzand

The World Peace Flame has burned in Cadzand for 22 years, serving as a permanent symbol of peace in the church garden of the Mariakerk. The flame was brought to the Zeeland coast from The Hague on May 9, 2004, following a torchlight procession from Cadzand-Bad.

The flame's origins trace back to 1999, when seven peace flames were lit on five continents by figures such as Nelson Mandela and Princess Irene of Lippe-Biesterfeld. These flames were merged in Bangor, North Wales, to create the single World Peace Flame. After the Netherlands received a permanent flame at the Peace Palace in The Hague in 2002, residents of Cadzand raised funds through local donations and subsidies to establish their own monument.

The location was chosen for its historical significance, as the region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen has been deeply affected by past conflicts, including the Eighty Years' War and the liberation in 1944. The monument offers visitors a space for prayer, reflection, or leaving peace wishes.