🎭 Afmælisveislan Shakespeare 2025
📍 Stratford-upon-Avon
📅 Laugardagur 26 Apríl 2025
☕ 9:30 AM | Civic Coffee Reception (By Invitation Only)
A warm welcome at the Town Hall for dignitaries and special guests before the day’s festivities begin!
🎺 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM | The Celebration Begins!
The Band strikes up the music at the top of Bridge Street, entertaining the growing crowds before marching back to Sheep Street to lead the VIP procession.
📍 From 10:00 AM | Parade Mustering Begins
Guests and participants gather at Bancroft Gardens, near the Swan Fountain, where Marshals will organize the procession lineup.
🎶 10:30 AM | The Schoolchildren’s March
Stratford’s primary school children assemble outside The Encore in Waterside. Led by the Air Training Corps Band, they march towards upper Bridge Street, ready for the grand spectacle.
🚶 10:35 AM | Dignitaries Take Their Places
Guests parade to their flag positions in High Street, Henley Street, and the sides of Bridge Street, preparing for the ceremonial unfurling.
🎷 10:40 AM | The Grand Arrival of the Diplomats
The WMFS Band leads an elegant procession of Diplomats and special guests from the Town Hall to Bridge Street for the Flag Unfurling Athöfn.
🎭 10:46 AM | ‘Mr Shakespeare’ Arrives!
Straight from his Birthplace, ‘Mr Shakespeare’ enters the arena, proudly carrying the Quill.
🎶 He steps onto the dais, where Amelia Underwood-King will serenade him with ‘Happy Birthday’.
📢 The Town Criers and Beadle rally the crowd with a thunderous ‘Hip, Hip, Hooray!"
🎉 “Let the Celebrations Begin!” As Mr Shakespeare raises the Quill, a fanfare marks the moment!
11:00 AM | The Grand Flag Unfurling
The Lord Lieutenant unfurls the Union Flag, followed by a synchronized flag display across the town! The ceremony culminates with a rousing performance of the Þjóðsöngur.
🚶♂️ 11:04 AM | The Grand March Begins
👦 Students from King Edward VI School parade through the arena, marching from Waterside towards Holy Trinity Church, led by the ATC Band.
👧 The primary school children follow close behind, adding to the joyful procession.
🎵 11:20 AM | The Civic Procession Sets Off
Led by the WMFS Band, sem Civic Procession—including dignitaries, gestir, and town representatives—makes its way through High Street, Chapel Street, Church Street, and Old Town en route to Holy Trinity Church.
🌸 11:28 AM | An Invitation to Join
The Compere extends an open invitation to spectators wishing to lay flowers at Shakespeare’s grave, encouraging them to join the procession as it moves through High Street.
⛪ 11:40 AM | A Tribute at Shakespeare’s Resting Place
A poignant moment as the Procession enters Holy Trinity Church, where flowers are laid at Shakespeare’s grave in a heartfelt tribute.
🎭 11:50 AM | The Procession Concludes
With flowers placed and respects paid, sem official Procession comes to a close.
🌟 Be part of history, pageantry, and celebration! Whether you’re marching, watching, or simply soaking in the magic, Afmælisveislan Shakespeare promise an unforgettable experience in Stratford-upon-Avon! 🎉
📜 Sunday 27 Apríl – A Day of Reflection
⛪ 11:15 AM – The Shakespeare Service á Holy Trinity Church begins. The highlight? The Quill Ceremony, where the Quill is placed in Shakespeare’s hand above his grave. The service also features the time-honored Shakespeare Sermon, a moment of reflection on the legacy of the world’s greatest playwright.
