viva gladiola - Nijmegen - 2001
The Nijmegen Four Days Marches are associated with gladioli. Traditionally, this South African sword lily (or gladiolus) symbolises strength and survival. The Roman word gladio means 'sword' and gladio is also the abbreviation of gladiator: the fighter, the survivor and the hero. When gladiators in Roman times managed to win a fight, they were showered with gladioli by the spectators. Nowadays, this flower is a real tradition at the Four Days Marches and participants who cross the finish line all receive a gladiolus: they have survived.
Bart Drost designed two promotional gifts for the municipality of Nijmegen in 2001: 'a bronze man proudly holding his gladiolus in the air' and 'a ceramic plate with man, gladiolus and Waal bridge'. The intention was for the mayor to 'hand out' these gifts during the four-day marches.
Why both designs were ultimately not put into production will always remain a mystery...