For many years the playwright William Shakespeare has been commemorated by a parade through his hometown of Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, on 23 April, the anniversary of his birth and 52 years later his death.  2016 marked the 400th anniversary of the former.

Streets in the centre of the town were closed for the parades which consisted on local dignitaries, schools and organisations, representatives from other towns which share the name Stratford, and a number of countries, including Brazil and Spain.  Most of those in the parade carried posies which were later placed on or near the poet’s grave in the local church, and wore sprigs of rosemary [Rosmarinus officinalis] ‘for remembrance’.  Many of the onlookers also wore rosemary.  Shakespeare masks were also available and at 11 a.m. people were encouraged to wear these to create a world record of the most Shakespeares ever gathered in one place.

Correction:  Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations are held on the Saturday nearest 23 April, not on 23 April, the day of his birthday (and death).

Images: upper,  town-crier wearing rosemary in his lapel; middle, Shakespeare mask; lower, area around Shakespeare’s grave in Holy Trinity Church; both 23 April 2016.

Edited 18 May 2024.