TILBURG, THE NETHERLANDS – In a vibrant display of pride and unity, thousands of individuals with red hair gathered in the southern town of Tilburg, Netherlands, to celebrate their unique hair color at the annual Redhead Days Festival.
Scottish participant Liam Hunter, 30, shared with Reuters that attending the three-day festival provided him with a sense of self-assurance. Like many redheads, Hunter has endured instances of bullying due to his distinctive hair color. “I don’t feel alone anymore; I feel together, a part of something,” he expressed while gazing out over the festival grounds. “Being here, I’m completed.”
Organizers reported that approximately 5,000 redheads from various countries convened at the festival. The event featured a diverse array of activities, including workshops on painting, makeup application, and skincare tips, as well as opportunities for photoshoots, music, and speed-meet events.
Redheads comprise a relatively small portion of the world’s population, accounting for roughly 1 to 2 percent. However, this percentage is notably higher, ranging from 2 to 6 percent, among individuals with Northern or Northwestern European ancestry.
The Dutch Redhead Days Festival began somewhat unintentionally. Organizer Bart Rouwenhorst, an amateur painter, initially placed an advertisement in a regional newspaper in 2005, seeking 15 models with red hair. To his surprise, the ad garnered responses from 150 individuals.
Although Rouwenhorst is not a redhead himself, he decided to arrange a group photo session with all those who had expressed interest. This inaugural gathering proved to be a resounding success, attracting significant attention. As a result, the organizers made the decision to establish it as an annual event.
In 2013, the festival achieved a place in the Guinness World Records book as the largest assembly of individuals with natural red hair, featuring a remarkable 1,672 redheads in the iconic group picture.