Between All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
Sacred Fire at the Walk of Hope
On Saturday, November 1st, in the evening between All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Sacred Fire ritual will take place in Amsterdam North. On the border between city and countryside, we extinguish the lights and ignite a new fire. Along the Walk of Hope, visitors experience an artistic ritual where remembrance and hope come together.
Celtic Origins
This ritual is inspired by an ancient Celtic tradition: Samhain. In that tradition, the day begins at sunset. From the darkness, people reflect on life and death and honor their ancestors. At the same time, it is a moment to look ahead, to prepare for the future, and to let go of what no longer belongs to you. It was believed that on this night, heaven and earth touch, and the veil between worlds grows thin.
Spark of Life
This process of reflection and release once involved extinguishing all household fires, followed by the lighting of one sacred fire. That fire now burns on the Path of Hope and forms the heart of the ritual. During the walk, you are invited to carry someone in your heart who has passed away, to remember their spark of life, and to rekindle your own inner fire with it. Words, a name, are given voice. Sounds rustle through the trees...
Creators
The ritual artwork Sacred Fire was developed by Daphne Questro (singer & creator) and Reinier Kurpershoek (visual artist), commissioned by the foundation pePijn en Hoop.
Time and Location
The ritual walk can be experienced on Saturday, November 1st, 2025, between 7:00 and 10:00 PM. For the full experience, please start no later than 9:15 PM. Participation is free of charge.
Entrance at the gate to the Walk of Hope, next to Het Groene Veld, G.J. Scheurleerweg 212, Amsterdam North.
Loop van de Hoop (Walk of Hope)
The Path of Hope is a project by the foundation pePijn en Hoop, and grew out of the previously realized Pepijn Path. This path is named after 14-year-old Pepijn Remmers, who died here during the COVID winter of 2021.
The Path of Hope offers space for grief, reflection, and hope. This walking route, filled with art, poetry, and personal stories, invites people to pause and reflect on their own losses and resilience. It was officially opened on May 28, 2025, by Mayor Femke Halsema.