The roots of the Coronation date back centuries and are linked to the town's preoccupation with the mother of Jesus. It all started when Saint Maternus built a church in Tongeren in the 4th century AD, known as Prima cis Alpes Beatae Virgini consecrata, or the first church north of the Alps devoted to Mary.

Not surprisingly, the church built up quite a collection of holy relics. These include what priests claimed were a piece from the cross of Christ and a fragment of Mary's veil. From the 14th century onwards, Tongeren's relics have been displayed over a period of 16 days in July every seven years - an event that drew vast numbers of pilgrims from all over northwestern Europe. The celebrations culminated in a solemn procession in which the relics were carried around the town.

Also featuring strongly in the processions was a statue depicting Mary as "Cause of Our Joy". Cut from walnut, it weighs 70 kilograms and stands 1.6 metres tall. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed that the statue should be crowned. Since then, this event has been marked by the Coronation Celebration, which is known far beyond Flanders. In 2002, Tongeren welcomed more than half a million visitors during the week of celebrations.

Preparations for this year's event, which takes place from 5 to 12 July, began back in 2005 and involve more than 3,000 of the town's citizens. The coronation procession will pass through the streets of Tongeren four times: on 5 and 12 July at 15.00 and on 7 and 10 July at 19.00.

A key element of the procession is its account of the story of Mary - a sort of moving play. However, it was a recurring disappointment for the crowds of onlookers that they could only see a small portion of the performance as the procession passed by. So in 1960, the play was put on stage for the first time and was a huge success.

This year the play will be performed four times on the Grote Markt. Using texts from the Gospels supported by a huge sound and light installation, the story of Mary will be acted out from a large open-air platform. The coronation choir formed especially for the occasion from various local choirs will perform a new coronation mass composed by Kurt Bikkembergs.

Since 1960, the Coronation Celebration has told the story of Mary, but from a different angle and with a new theme each seven years. The Coronation theme is linked to what people are experiencing at the time. Thus, in 1988, amidst a feeling of despondency, the theme was "A sign of Hope". In 1995, the organisers felt that society needed more humanity, gentleness and fairness, so the theme was "More Humanity with Mary". The 2002 theme was "Mary rejoices our hearts". For the 17th edition of the Coronation festivities this month, the Coronation Committee chose the theme "United around Mary".

"It is clear that our society needs unity and respect for everyone," says Georges Willemaers, chairman of the Coronation Committee. "Our community should form a single whole, since every culture and religious community should respect the individuality and the diversity of other cultures and religions. Mary remains familiar as a figure who gathers many people around her. The simple witness of Mary can contribute to a better coexistence in our contemporary society."

To many, of course, such ultra-veneration of Mary - arising from the 6th century Cult of the Virgin Mary - will appear rather over the top and mystifying. But for many devout Catholics, as well as the religiously neutral, the Coronation Celebration is a unique opportunity to witness one of Flanders' great religious spectacles, within the remarkable setting of Belgium's oldest town and featuring a cast of thousands.

The coronation procession and evening play can be attended free of charge, but places on the tribune for the procession, or seats for the play, should be reserved in advance.

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