It is a ritual repertoire that marks a man's rite of passage in the ten years before his fiftieth birthday.
Leuven is the 8th biggest city in Belgium. Located in the Flemish Region of Belgium, Leuven is the capital of Flemish Brabant province, with the historic center constituting a municipality.
One of Leuven popular annual rituals, Leuven age set ritual, is held on the first Saturday of October, on Abraham Day. The tradition is about men living in or around Leuven, Belgium that begin a journey at age forty with the formation of an age set, which culminates at age fifty. This practice dates back to 1890 with men born in 1840. The Stichting Abrahamdag Oosterhout (Oosterhout Abraham Day Foundation) celebrates the achievement of men born in the same year who reach their fiftieth birthday. This is a celebration of recognition with a fair dose of humor and self-mockery, and 350 Abrahams are allowed to take part every year.
The Abraham Day program usually consists of three elements: the welcoming and registration, followed by the opening in the Basilica of St John the Baptist, a reception at the town hall, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Abraham statue, lunch, several activities, and an evening of dinner and festivities with family members, friends, and former Abrahams.
Godfathers, who belong to previous age sets, choose the medal, flag, and uniform for each age set and foster it. Throughout each decade and beyond, members celebrate and embrace life. When the last member of an age set passes away, the group is no longer available.
However, intergenerational values such as openness, friendship, solidarity, and commitment to the city are embodied by the age sets. Political, philosophical, and religious convictions have no bearing on differences in descent, rank, or social status.
Despite this, women are increasingly participating in the ritual as godmothers and supporters. It has become a strong part of Leuven's urban culture and builds a sense of identity and continuity. Today, there are 54 age sets, and more groups are formed each year.
Nowadays, there is also an exchange program with the Jaartallendag (Age Set Day) in Leuven (Belgium) for participants who come from all over the Netherlands, as well as from surrounding countries. The event is organized by the Oosterhout Abraham Day Foundation, assisted by volunteers. The parish of St. Catherine, the municipal authority, a number of music societies, local pubs and restaurants, and De Bussel cultural center that provides the meals and place, all contribute to the day.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/leuven-age-set-ritual-repertoire-00404) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuven#Lived_in_Leuven) (https://www-vrt-be.translate.goog/vrtnws/fr/2011/11/26/l_unesco_reconnaitunetraditionlouvaniste-1-1163230/?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=id&_x_tr_pto=sc) (https://www-immaterieelerfgoed-nl.translate.goog/en/abrahamdagoosterhout?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=id&_x_tr_pto=sc)