Holland Focus Nov-Dec 2014

ANDRÉ RIEU Love inVenice

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twee culturen op één kussen... self-Constructive with Lilith Love

VOL.9 NO.6 November/December2014

www.hollandfocus.com

front page:Operation Market Garden, Ede - Ginkelse Heide (Ministerie van Defensie)

CONTENTS

ARTICLES______________________ ..4 Operation Market Garden 70 years on

10 Tourism and Shared Heritage

14 Travelling through 95 years of KLM 17 André Rieu, Love in Venice 18 Making the Effort and a recipe for Koffiebroodjes 22 Maastricht celebrates 200 year Kingdom 26 The Dutch Discoverer of Vitamins 28 Hunebedden 30 recipe from book: Vorstelijk Tafelen 31 promotion books and Kings dinner 32 Save the Vergulde Draeck Inscription Rock 37 The Christmas tree 38 'n Bende van 5, a unique multidisciplinary look at art 42 self-CONSTRUCTIVE with Lilith Love 45 Twee culturen op één kussen...

52 Rijksmuseum opens revamped Philips Wing 58 The closest thing to Flying 60 Van Dale's jubilee celebrated

with show and symposium 61 Update MH-17 62 cycling and sailing holidays with Hat Tours

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COMMUNITY NEWS_____________ 64 Radiogroep Brisbane - South Australia news 65 Launch of the Netherlands Australian

Chamber of Commerce 66 Rembrandtclub - Araluen Tulip Festival in WA

https://www.facebook.com/ HollandFocus

REGULARS___________________ 3 editorial 21 Gedicht Belicht - Frans Hertoghs 29 Dutch/Flemish movies - The House of Magic 34 Tegenvoeter - Ruud Hisgen 49 Verbeeldingen - Frans Hertoghs 50 Kiwikorrels - Frans Hertoghs 54 Events in the Netherlands - Erik Feenstra 57 Taals Taaltje - Blikken of Blozen 63 Dutch Cuisine

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COMPETITION-_________________ 8 What is What?

heel fijne feestdagen

A TOUCH OF DUTCH shop and café

Come and enjoy traditional, and not so traditional Dutch food.

We proudly serve Douwe Egberts coffee and Pickwick tea in our cafe. a touch of Dutch for only the best and the latest in Dutch groceries and products.

orders taken for Sinterklaas and Christmas first in best dressed

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van alle medewerkers van Holland Focus

Shop 3 & 4 Village Arcade 46-50 High Street, Berwick, VIC 3806 Tel. 03-9769 7999 Open Mon-Fri shop 9am - 5pm; café 8am - 4pm Sat-9am - 3pm check out our facebook page for café specials and updates

Letter from the editor Operation Market Garden, the major allied operation, to end the war, was not as successful as the allied forces had hoped for. This year commemorates the 70th anniversary of the tragic events, dubbed ‘A bridge too far’ by Lieutenant Gen. Frederick Browning and the name of the movie (1977) based on this operation. Yolanda Edens wrote an article about the commemoration days in Nijmegen.

The Netherlands celebrates 200 year Kingdom and Holland Focus together with Stichting Ontwikkeling Nederlandse Kookkunst intent to organise Koningsdiners in the major cities in Australia and New Zealand on or close to the 27th of April, King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. We already are in contact with many people that are willing to help organise this event. We will keep you informed about the venues and towns this dinner will be organised. The dinners coincide with Holland Focus’ tenth anniversary, another reason to organise these dinners.

This edition also includes some festive recipes for Sinterklaas and Christmas and as usual many informative articles. Enjoy!

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Operation Market Garden 70 years on

Operation Market Garden took place in September 1944 and was one of the biggest allied operations of the Second World War. The aim of the operation was to take hold of crucial bridges across the main rivers in the Netherlands and to warrant a quick march towards Berlin.

To attain that goal about 35,000 paras were dropped near Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem on 17 September 1944. Those troops had the task to capture the bridges and hold them until relieved by the ground troops who moved from Belgium to the north. Despite being one of the largest airborne landings ever – near Arnhem, Groesbeek and Eindhoven – the German defence proofed to be very strong. In September Nijmegen was liberated, but stayed on the front line. On 25 September 1944 Operation Market Garden came abruptly to an end during the devastating battle of Arnhem, with many casualties and a town in ruins. For months, one hundred thousand civilians and soldiers lived under trying circumstances until the actual liberation of the Netherlands on 5 May 1945.

This year, in numerous towns and villages in Gelderland and Brabant the 70th commemoration of operation Market Garden was memorialised.

Highlight was the largest post-war para-dropping on the Ginkelse Heide. And in Nijmegen the American military, accompanied by a few veterans, again crossed the river Waal.

words Yolanda Edens photos Ad Hoeks and Yolanda Edens

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in Geldrop-Mierlo, Noord-Brabant Historical vehicles On Saturday 20 September, in Gelderland’s Driel a wreath-laying took place at the monument on the Polenplein. This ceremony was attended by King Willem-Alexander and the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski.

A parade of about 350 historic military vehicles and historically dressed drivers and passengers followed as accurate as possible -the original Operation Market Garden route from the Belgian border near Borkel and Schaft through Brabant. In Veghel an allied campsite was re-enacted which was visited by thousands of people. The parade with military vehicles finished in Nijmegen, where the vehicles were placed on display.

load, just like hundreds of Dakotas did 70 years ago. This was followed by a few C-130s, wherefrom more than 200 parachutists jumped. The planned para-jump during the commemoration of the Polish landing in Driel, also on the Saturday, was limited to a few flyovers of a Polish transport plane.

River Waal crossing On Sunday, in Nijmegen the legendary river Waal crossing by the American 82nd Airborne Division was replayed. This happened under Nijmegen’s new town bridge, which as a mark of honour carries the name ‘De Oversteek’ (The Crossing). 70 years ago on exactly the same location the river Waal crossing of Operation Market Garden took place. Under heavy enemy fire hundreds of American liberators then rowed across the river to conquer the strategically placed bridges over the river Waal. This action ultimately led to the liberation of Nijmegen.

Exactly 70 years later, American veterans again jumped in canvas rowing boats to cross the river Waal in Nijmegen, just like they did in 1944.

Then the 82nd Airborne Division did the same under heavy enemy fire to reclaim the strategically important bridges over the river Waal. Now the army took care of the bellowing of canon- and machine-guns.

In 1944, the operation succeeded, but 48 men lost their lives.

Ginkelse Heide As well in the morning as in the afternoon, eleven military transport planes would drop more than 1,000 parachutists on the Ginkelse Heide (heathlands). Fog was the big spoilsport and a remarkable resemblance to the real operation in 1944. The paras who would have landed there and then, couldn’t jump either because of the haze.

It was one of the causes of the unsuccessful Operation Market Garden.

Nevertheless, after the commemoration ceremony at the Airborne Monument, halfway through the afternoon the clouds cleared the sky. Firstly a historic C-47 dropped its 5

Aerial art The name of Nijmegen’s city bridge De Oversteek, does not just remind of the heroic crossing by the Americans in September 1944. The bridge honours the 48 fallen soldiers with a daily aerial art piece. The aerial art is accomplished by the 48 pairs of lampposts on the bridge. These lampposts are a tribute to the 48 people who died during the military action, which was a part of Operation Marker Garden and heralded the liberation of Nijmegen. Every night at sunset, this art piece lights up the lampposts, pair by pair, from south to north in the pace of a slow stride. This way the crossing will be commemorated symbolically every day. When the public streetlights are switched on, the first lights of the monument will light up. Only when the last lampposts light up, the remaining lights on the bridge will switch on.

Tribute On the north side of the river Waal, the veterans were loudly applauded by the Americans who now serve with the 82nd. These paratroops also manned the rowing boats.

According to their commander John Nicholson his division found it ‘a great honour’ to re-enact the so-called Waal crossing. The Waal crossing is seen as the most heroic operation carried out to liberate Europe.

A musical performance in which a tribute is portrayed by an act of dancers dressed up as angels hanging on a giant wheel and are whirling in the air, concludes the commemorations. In the background is a large screen showing photos of the fallen soldiers. While the last notes of this beautiful composition fade away, a sea of flowers descend on the dancers.

Planes The deep droning of the three planes that skimmed over the bridge several times caused an impressive silence with the thousands, mostly postwar, spectators. “I will never forget this sound”, whispers an 80 year old lady, who still clearly remembers the planes she heard as a little girl.

“These are three; the air was full of planes then. The ground, the Liberation Route Europe Foundation air, everything vibrated. It was The Liberation Route Europe follows the path of the allied forces during the impressive and at the same time liberation of Europe in 1944-1945. In the Netherlands the route goes –amongst very frightening.” While she says others- through Noord-Brabant, the Arnhem region and Nijmegen and the this, she grabs her sister’s hand, Veluwe. These areas played a major part in the liberation years, eg during who sits next to her brushing Operation Market Garden. Via a trail of large rocks – so-called listening spots away tears from the corner of – eyewitness (soldiers and civilians) stories can be listened to. The Liberation her eyes.

Route Europe addresses the entire European path of her liberation route – from Also the veterans and relatives Normandy to Berlin. Also a special ‘app’ can be downloaded from the Google standing among the thousands Play Store and App Store. of spectators are visibly touched by the memories.

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for breakfast, lunch, dinner or in between

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What is What?

This What ’s What is about a fairly easy to prepare meal.

Extremely popular in autumn and winter. Although, it was only consumed in autumn when harvesting. Hard working people, making long days need a nutritious and hearty meal: eenvoudig doch voedzaam (simple, yet nutritious, to quote Heer Bommel), In the olden days people did not have a kitchen stove with four or more burners. Many people only had an oliestelletje (paraffin stove) or a stove with two burners. A dish cooked in one pan made live a lot easier. The other burner could be used for frying meat. Just chuck everything in one pan and when cooked mash the living daylight out of it. Every region in the Netherlands had their own traditional dish prepared in the one pan. One is named ‘naked bottoms of children in the grass’, another is called ‘hot lightning’, just to name a few. The jus (gravy) was poured in a hole in the middle of the meal. Children love to make ‘rivers and dikes’ with the gravy before their parents tell them off.

The ingredient used in all the varieties is made famous by Van Gogh. A staple food for the poor: easy to grow and cheap. It was introduced to the Netherlands in the 18th century and embraced by the Dutch, but the mashing of meals probably started in the 19th century. Herbs and spices were not popular in the Dutch kitchen; just salt and pepper was added. Nowadays many exotic spices linger in the kitchen and are used abundantly in these traditional meals. Often a smoked processed meat variety is served with this meal, also a Dutch speciality. Apart from the Dutch the only other people who eat those meals are the Belgians.

The questions are:

① What is the variety called (in Dutch) that uses carrots and onions? ② What is the name of the smoked processed meat variety (in Dutch)?

© Chris Lampe

! n i

W

last issue’s “What’s What?”

The right answers are

This issue’s correct answers will go in the draw for the book,

Willem Beukelszoon

De Krakatau Tragedie

and haring is derived from 'heer',

by Rick Blekkink

a school of herring (old Dutch heering) is a mulititude (een heer) of fish

Send your ANSWER, NAME and ADDRESS (before 10 December 2014 to: Holland Focus, PO Box 169, Olinda Vic. 3788, Australia or email: editor@hollandfocus.com (don’t forget to include your postal address) please don't send in multiple answers, they will be considered wrong.

THE WINNER OF THE BOOK THE DUTCH & AND THEIR BIKES'

! s n o i t la u t a r g Con

I. Dekkers (NSW)

8

Dutch Australian Society Neerlandia Club Ltd (NSW) Established 1954

Address:

Cnr Bantry Bay Road and Gatten Cres.,

Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086

(02) 9452 5014 Correspondence:

PO Box 6663, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Opening Hours:

Sunday 11am – 3pm

Open for lunch, shopping, snacks and drinks Upcoming Events:

4 November 2014 - Melbourne Cup Luncheon

30 November 2014 - Sinterklaas

20 December 2014 - Neerlandia Christmas Lunch

bookings essential

Contact the President for details and bookings on (02) 9452 5014 (Sundays)

Tourism and Shared Heritage

a challenging combination for 2016

The beginning: The Footprints Conference, November 2012.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia in cooperation with Centre for International Heritage Activities (CIE) organised a symposium on Dutch-Australian cultural heritage on 1 November, 2012. It was held at the National Library of Australia in Canberra as part of the Australian Dutch Heritage Cooperation Project.

The title of the symposium was encouraging: Footprints as Stepping Stones, Kick-off Dutch-Australian Cultural Heritage Celebrations 2016.

left: symposium Canberra , November 2012; right: Batavia (Hans Bagnay); page 12: Duyfken at Denham, Shark Bay; page 13: Dirk Hartog's plate.

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The Symposium was an organisational success with a very comprehensive and ambitious agenda in which a great diversity of representatives participated. Many views were aired and heard, from museum directors and curators, authors, historians, heritage experts, academics, business managers, economists, event managers and -importantly- organisers of the successful 400 year celebrations in 2006. The new ambassador, Mrs Annemieke Ruigrok made a great debut and appreciated the opportunity to meet such a diverse sample of Dutch Australian interests. Four representatives of the DACC, Sydney were there as well and got the message: If we want 2016 to be a success we need to get a lot of sponsors involved to put money into it. A roadmap was drawn up, in principle, but we have not heard much more about the planning process since. A committee has been established in Western Australia and some plans made there. Ambassador Ruigrok has visited Shark Bay recently for an orientation visit. Interested parties on the east coast are wondering what is happening? No doubt this is a difficult project, both financially and organisationally.

The favoured solution ‘public and private partnerships’ may be discussed but we haven’t heard about it.

Understandably the interested parties in Western Australia are of the view that the centre of organisational gravity should be in WA, but this project must still be national in character. The importance for the east coast, in terms of educational values, is probably even greater than in WA. It is heartening though that Dr Nonja Peters of Curtin University and Dr Jason Ensor of the University of Western Sydney are planning a workshop at the UWS for early December. A preliminary meeting with the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre was held in September at DACC

to prepare Sydney for the 2016 activities. The DACC is looking for a manufacturer who can make replicas of the Hartog pewter plate to sell to visitors.

It is well known on the west coast of Australia that many VOC ships, their crews and stranded passengers left their mark on that coast in the 17th and 18th centuries. But when it comes to the rest of Australia the knowledge doesn’t go far beyond Dirk Hartog and his pewter plate planted on Hartog Island at Shark Bay in 1616. And when it comes to the present day Dutch in the Netherlands the awareness of the 50 or so landings in Australia by the intrepid Dutch VOC seafarers in that period is still very sketchy. In spite of 310,000 Australians claiming Dutch ancestry, including PM Tony Abbott, very few of today’s Dutch citizens in the Netherlands have ever visited Australia. All that can and should change and this surely is the time to start working on it. The opportunity of celebrating Hartog’s landing and the many other historic events can be turned into a massive educational tourist promotion. An Australia-wide 400 year heritage commemoration and heritage tourist explosion in the coming two years and much longer even, such as Australia has not seen before, is both achievable and very desirable. The entire west coast of Australia has so much to offer in terms of heritage, history and also natural beauty. Here is an ‘el dorado’ waiting to be discovered.

But we need all hands on deck. The Dutch and Australian Governments have to come to major bilateral agreements to give it a push, the sooner the better. It might help to have the current Foreign Minister Julie Bishop living in Perth. She gets on very well with the Dutch government.

The airlines KLM, Qantas and Emirates need to come with 11 11

seriously discounted return packages and local councils have to go out of their way to boost accommodation and recreation venues, for all classes of tourists, including of course the backpackers. And that will have to commence soon because the party is starting in less than 18 months.

There is not just attractive Perth and Shark Bay/Denham, Geraldton, all with relevant museums galore, and the iron ore of the Pilbara. There are the magnificent wildflowers, Broome, Albany, Port Hedland, and much more. A trip with the Indian Pacific to the east and one or more eastern destinations for those with time and money could be an extra bonus while they are here.

spot turtles, dolphins, manta rays, whales and dugongs, be it on a boat or from the shore and at the end of it all.

At Hamelin Pool Marine and Nature Reserve visitors can view the oldest and largest living fossils in the world, the stromatolites. Here is an area where heritage and holidays can be perfectly aligned.

The ultra modern Discovery and Visitor Centre in Denham displays international inspired collections with today’s interactive technology. The Dutch component there is also truly impressive and well represented, understandably with Hartog Island and the Zuytdorp Cliffs nearby.

Shared Cultural Heritage When I was writing this I couldn’t help linking the above opportunities to the objectives in the Shared Cultural Heritage Policy Framework 2013-2016, the Netherlands Government adopted last year after they had decided that Australia should be one of the 10 priority countries for this purpose. They outlined three objectives there: The promotion of international relations; promoting sustainable preservation of cultural heritage; and the Netherlands interests. These interests are described in some detail: ‘International collaboration in the area of shared cultural heritage offers opportunities for the Netherlands. It can, for instance, oil the wheels of public and economic diplomacy. By positioning cultural heritage in the domain of international relations, the Netherlands can be profiled more prominently and generate goodwill. This will benefit Dutch companies in general, but especially those specialised in cultural heritage preservation, creative industries and water management.

There is a proven connection between historic ties, in trade and other areas, and good economic relations today. Shared cultural heritage offers Dutch institutions in the areas of education, culture and science opportunities for international collaboration and distinction.”

Quite so! And here is the golden opportunity to put it to the test.

The Zuytdorp shipwreck of 1712 The story of the Batavia mutiny and disaster on the Abrolhos Islands in 1628 has been told with passion and insight by many, the latest by well-known Sydney journalist Peter Fitzsimons. The Shipwreck museum in Fremantle, showing a good deal of what was recovered of the wreck between 1970 and 1974 (first located in 1963), is a must for every tourist. Of a different order is the Zuytdorp wreck that stranded on the rocks between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. The many interesting accounts about the disaster of the Zuytdorp and the several survivors include the intermingling that is likely to have occurred with the local Nhanda tribe. A DNA research team in Leiden headed by Professor Peter de Knijf has been investigating the strong possibility of a genetic link between Zuytdorp survivors and local people for some time. It is expected that the result of this research will be announced soon by the professor. It would be interesting for Dutch and other European tourists to find evidence of such contacts in the area. It is believed to have been the first contact between Europeans and the indigenous people.

The Zest Festival, held in Kalbarri just recently (and in

Shark Bay is a splendid World Heritage Area The West Australians are not only talking about Dutch Australian maritime heritage, immense as that topic certainly is there. Shark Bay World Heritage Area became Western Australia’s first world heritage listed area in 1991. It is one of two World Heritage areas within WA and one of only 16 Australia wide.

Shark Bay World Heritage Area is testimony to the wonders of the natural world. Famous for its friendly Monkey Mia dolphins, there are few places in the world where one can experience marine wonders as in Shark Bay. On any visit you’re likely to 12

2012), has the making of greater things to come. Another such festival, in 2016, would be part of the tourist attraction and could be replicated elsewhere.

Tourism and education – unity of purpose A strong campaign to boost travel to Australia from the Netherlands in 2016 will have to be a joint public and private sector exercise in the Netherlands, but particularly in Australia. As far as the Dutch Australians are concerned, let there be unity of purpose all round.

The first port of call for visitors must be WA and its heritage and attractions. There must be agreement on objectives. On the grapevine one hears of differences of opinion and attitudes in WA that stand in the way of achieving synergies. With less than 18 months to go now it’s all hands on deck, surely.

What about born Australians themselves? Schools and universities could start excursions to the places of historic interest on the west coast. It is amazing that a very high percentage of Australians on the east coast have never been there, they have no idea what it is like, based on personal experiences. This is very much part of their country even though it was formerly known as New Holland, until 1802, for reasons they would want to know about. West Australians were slow to join the Federation in 1901 and then, again, thought about secession in 1931.

But not only students should go there. Adults should

be encouraged much more than in the past and this commemoration can be the focal point, and a defining moment. The number of ‘Grey Nomads’ is certainly growing but public transport to WA should be encouraged to explore the vast quality of heritage that WA has to offer, from Derby and Broome in the north to Albany and Cape Leeuwin in the south, with a stop at Margaret River in between to sample the excellent WA wines. And they will find that west Australians really are Australians first and east Australians second.

Klaas Woldring Secretary, Dutch Australian Cultural Centre Smithfield, Sydney

PENSIOENKWIJT.NL Miljoenen aan pensioen geld niet opgehaald !!

Veel Nederlanders weten niet dat er nog een pensioenpotje op hen ligt te wachten.Doordat ze naar het buitenland zijn verhuisd of regelmatig van baan wisselen, zijn zij een deel van hun pensioen en of nabestaande pensioen vergeten.Met als gevolg dat in Nederland miljoenen euro’s aan pensioen, nooit worden opgehaald.

Heeft u in uw werkzame leven verschillende (kleine) pensioenen in Nederland opgebouwd, dan is de kans groot dat er verschillende pensioenpotjes voor u klaarstaan wanneer u de leeftijd van 65 jaar bereikt. Het is echter niet zo dat deze opgebouwde pensioenen u automatisch bereiken. U dient pensioen namelijk altijd zelf aan te vragen.

Natuurlijk kan het voorkomen dat u nog weet dat u pensioen heeft opgebouwd, maar niet meer waar. Om te achterhalen wie uw vroegere pensioenuitvoerder is geweest, kunt u een aantal dingen doen.

Allereerst kunt u de website van De Nederlandsche Bank raadplegen. Hierop staat een overzicht van inmiddels niet meer bestaande pensioenfondsen met daarbij de nieuwe naam van het fonds of de opvolger ervan. Bij uw vroegere werkgevers kunt u informeren naar de naam en het adres van de pensioenuitvoerder. Ook kunt u bij een vakorganisatie informeren of ze daar bekend zijn en of het bedrijf deelnam aan een bedrijfstakpensioenregeling.

Een andere mogelijkheid om uw pensioenuitvoerder te achterhalen, is bij de Kamer van Koophandel informeren of het bedrijf dat u zoekt wellicht van naam is veranderd of dat het is verhuisd, overgenomen of failliet verklaard.

Het kan ook zijn dat uw ouder(s) en of familieleden overleden zijn en dat u nog recht heeft op een deel van de opgebouwde pensioenen, wezenpensioen of nabestaanden uitkering. Tegen een geringe vergoeding van administratiekosten werk ik op basis van no cure no pay en help ik u graag verder in het doolhof van instanties, om uw 'pensioenpotjes' te achterhalen.

Neem contact met mij op en ik ga zo snel mogelijk voor u aan de slag.

PENSIOENKWIJT.NL postadres: Korendijk 89, 3079PW Rotterdam, The Netherlands Tel: 001131 (0)6 45 163 797 email: pensioenkwijt@hotmail.nl

Travelling through 95 years of KLM

On Tuesday 7 October KLM celebrates her 95th anniversary. To honour this milestone Museum Jan van der Togt, a museum for modern glass art and visual arts, has organised the exhibition ‘een reis door 95 jaar KLM’ (travelling through 95 years of KLM). Photos, crockery and posters show the rich history of KLM. The future is mentioned too, of course.

19 September, 2014. The top of the aviation world gather at Museum Jan van der Togt in Amstelveen: Martin Schröder, (founder of Transavia), Jos Nijhuis (president of Schiphol airport and CEO), astronaut André Kuypers and other invitees.

A-Ford Then the noise of a hoarse frog resonates, as only oldtimers can sound. Behind the wheel of an old A-Ford KLM’s chairman Camiel Eurlings, honking loudly, arrives on the square. Despite being the chairman of KLM, he still is a mischievous boy. Mischievous, but with guts. Proud of the 95th anniversary of KLM he confidently is en route to the centenary celebrations of KLM. words and photos Marianne Visser van Klaarwater

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previous page: Eurlings and Knoops; this page top right: astronaut André Kuypers; left: Camiel Eurlings en Jos Nijhuis, above: M. Schroder, his wife (orange jacket) and Jos Nijhuis on the right

Tradition Pointing to the beautiful A-Ford Eurlings informs: “In the fifties of last century this A-Ford took our passengers on unpaved roads from Amsterdam and Rotterdam to Schiphol airport, one of the pick-up points was on the Leidseplein.”

In his opening speech Eurlings points out that KLM cherishes its tradition. A tradition that started as a big adventure of great minds, the likes of Plesman and the powerful Parmentier. In 1934 they flew to Australia in three days.

approved this. Thanks to the interference of the USA this operation did not go through,” according to Eurlings.

Royal With due pride Eurlings mentions the rich history of KLM. “In 1919, even before we were founded KLM already received the additive Royal, so they could be registered as Royal Airline right from the start.”

The roaring twenties The exhibition starts with the twenties and thirties of last century. Travelling in those days was still a luxury.

Travelling by plane is almost exclusively done by high placed officials and the destinations were mainly Asia and South America. Also some of the mail was transported by plane and typical Dutch products, e.g. flowers, cheese, jenever and beer.

The 50s were dominated by the post-war reconstruction.

By expanding fast, flights to the other continents were introduced. More and more business travellers utilise KLM. Two different classes were introduced: a first and economy class. A new group of travellers check in: the migrants. Large families, farmers and other people looking for a better lifestyle move to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Race to the Bottom The future is still a big adventure for KLM. How strong could KLM be when they are confronted with unfair and rock-hard competition like price fighting and airlines that are heavily subsidised by governments?

Or the ‘race to the bottom’, which means: flying under another flag to be able to employ cheaper cabin crews.

The Scandinavian airline ‘Norwegian’ flies under the Irish flag to make it possible to employ crews from Thailand.

“It is incomprehensible that the European Union

Aviodrome A more beautiful location than the Museum Jan van der Togt, situated near KLM’s head-office, could hardly be wished for, to celebrate 95 years KLM. The museum for contemporary art with its rooms full of glass art offers the comfortable ambiance we expect from KLM. Eurlings also thanks the Aviodrome in Lelystad for its cooperation with the exhibition.

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The happy few In the 1970s tourism takes off for the happy few. That will change. In the 1990s the market overflows with the arrival of low cost carriers. KLM pursues a tough struggle to stay unique. The KLM blue is used in all correspondence and all shapes of marketing. The image radiates the base-values of KLM, to be precise: reliability, quality and innovation. The KLM blue is also the red thread through the exhibition: ‘een reis door 95 jaar KLM’.

Competition Naturally the exhibition should not be without the KLM aircraft of the future. At arrival visitors receive a small fold-up plane to write their wish for KLM’s future on it.

The most original entry will win a ticket to London.

Websites Aviodrome, Lelystad: exhibition about historical aviation, www.aviodrome.nl Museum Jan van der Togt, museum of modern glass art and visual art, www.jvdtogt.nl KLM, www.klm.com

Commitment Near the end of the exhibition runs a movie where employees explain their commitment to their employer.

Eurlings: “I am extremely grateful to the KLM employees for their dedication to the company. The blue feeling of our employees, together with the spirit of enterprise and resilience, are the backbone of our KLM. This makes KLM a powerful company and a magnificent brand over the last 95 years.

The flight of the swan incites emotions. This is present throughout the entire exhibition. I will stay very committed to this, to make sure that KLM in 2019 will be stronger, more vital, bigger and more durable than ever.”

images of the exhibition: above: the famous KLM houses; below: frontpages of the KLM magazine 'Holland Herald'; promotional posters; first class clients and stewardess outfit

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ANDRÉ RIEU LOVE IN VENICE André Rieu introduces his new DVD and album ‘Love in Venice’.

When you kiss your loved one, sitting in a gondola under a bridge in Venice, your every wish will come true. It’s a story I like to believe and of course, if Italy is the country of love, Venice is the capital of Romance. Therefore, with all my heart and all my soul I’ve made this record, entitled Love in Venice.

Love is in the air in Italy. Music surrounds you in that country. It’s in its citizens’ blood. The architecture in Venice is a testament to the music of that country too.

We wouldn’t have had Gabrieli without St. Mark’s. But the music in Italy isn’t just music for popes and princes.

It’s on the street. All those wonderful Neapolitan songs and folk songs – that was music of the common man. Yet another example, I think, of the fact that music has no boundaries. It’s nowhere more evident than in Italy.

I love Italy. Every year my family and I take our holidays in Rome. It’s a city you can visit every year and still discover more and more. It’s so fantastic. It’s my favourite country to go on holiday and if I didn’t live in Maastricht, I’d probably live in Tuscany.

For this recording I composed three pieces myself – a new waltz, La Gondola; the main ‘theme’ of the album Love in Venice; and a fiery tarantella.

Composing for me is a natural thing. Mozart composed while playing a game of billiards and drinking wine.

Inspiration can come at the most unlikely

times. The theme from La Tarantella came to me when I was travelling in a taxi in Santiago. I started work on the title track, Love in Venice, in my studio. Of course, this is only the beginning. Composers always revise, and I do too. When rehearsing with my Johann Strauss Orchestra, different colours suggest themselves and so the whole composition goes through another process.

All this may sound scientific, but inspiration must come from the heart. I normally play on a Stradivarius – the connoisseur’s violin – but for the Love in Venice track I wanted a violin with a softer-grained, more sensual, more voluptuous sound.

I wanted Love in Venice to be a completely instrumental album. Even songs like Santa Lucia or Volare or ’O sole mio which you mostly hear as vocal performances, are ‘sung’ on my violin. That’s because the violin is a voice.

It’s an extension of the human voice. You could say I make love with the violin! Just close your eyes and listen to this album. You will be transported to the land of love – Venice.

André Rieu André Rieu’s DVD “Love in Venice” was filmed in Maastricht (his annual concert series there) and shown in cinemas throughout Australia earlier this year.

win 1 of André's latest DVDs or CDs

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what is the name of the square in Maastricht where André holds his yearly concerts? send the answer, your name and postal address - before 10 December 2014 - to Holland Focus, PO Box 169, Olinda Vic 3788 or in an email to editor@hollandfocus.com 17

photo Michal Osmenda

Making the Effort and a Recipe for

Not everyone is born a great cook. But if there’s one thing I’m sure of, is that everyone can cook and find great joy in what is otherwise perceived to be a mundane, everyday task. I myself wasn’t born an adept cook. In fact, I only taught myself to cook after the birth of my daughter, some fifteen years ago. Before that, my meals mostly involved nuking a potato in the microwave, opening a tin of vegetables and sautéing a vegetarian meat substitute.

Yes, I was also a vegetarian, but that’s a whole other story. It’s not that my meals were that bad, but they certainly weren’t all that creative or tasty.

While pregnant with Kirstie, however, something changed. I decided that cooking, good cooking, should not be a hurry-up job. It shouldn’t be a chore like ironing or folding socks. Food was to be relished, and the act of eating at the table with the family, celebrated and savoured in more ways than one. I wanted to cook delicious, varied meals that would feed us well and that would one day perhaps be part of many special memories. So I made it my mission to learn by trial and error.

I watched cooking shows while jotting down notes. I devoured cookery books. Tried new ingredients. Visited open-air markets for inspiration. And, I shamelessly used friends and family as guinea pigs.

Koffiebroodjes

words and photos Paola Westbeek 18

ing chocolate cake for birthdays. A pavlova topped with strawberries for Easter. Gevulde speculaas (marzipanfilled speculaas cake), kruidnoten (bite-sized spiced cookies) and kerststol (stollen) for the festive season. My skills also come in handy when considering Christmas presents for loved ones. To be honest, I’d rather spend a day in the glow of my own kitchen, baking cookies, making fudge and joyfully wrapping what I lovingly made, than becoming agitated among the hordes of desperate shoppers crowding the city centre. Not my idea of holiday cheer.

And speaking of the holiday season, as soon as Sinterklaas makes his exit, many people in the Netherlands start to fuss about what to make for dinner, or in some cases, what to serve. You see, living in this convenience world of ours means that come December, the supermarket shelves fill with an almost dizzying variety of ‘special’ holiday meals. The kind that you can just rip open, shove in the oven and present as though it were your own. Nothing is too crazy. There are roasts with truffles, lobster bisques with whiskey cream, fancy cakes, festive drinks and amuses that can be assembled without fuss. All of them easy peasy, and all of them loaded with e-numbers and artificial flavours.

Honestly, it all boggles the mind. As I said at the beginning, I haven’t always been a good cook, but thankfully, I’ve never had a Christmas dinner with ready-made food either.

When I didn’t know my way around the kitchen, I left the cooking of Christmas dinner to those who did. I can understand the ease of a convenience meal on a busy weekday, but for Christmas dinner?

Not to be condescending, but shame on the supermarkets for brainwashing people into thinking these meals are actually cooking. If you can’t cook, provide the wine. And if you can, make the effort.

Perhaps a better idea would be for supermarkets to organise evenings during which shoppers can partake in cooking workshop using simple products. Christmas food needn’t be fancy. It only needs a bit of time, effort and attention.

With that, I’d like to share one 19

Successful recipes were neatly kept on file; some of them were destined to become family favourites. Like my fragrantly soul-warming roast chicken, which I still ceremoniously serve on Sundays during the cooler months here in our ‘kikkerlandje’. Roast potatoes and good mayonnaise are a standard accompaniment, and for my husband and I, a nice bottle of Burgundy to smoothly wash it down with. The leftovers, if any, are usually transformed into soups, sandwiches, salads or savoury pies the following day. Or my meltingly tender draadjesvlees (meat stew) served with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. Dutch comfort food at its best. Not bad made from the hands of a ‘buitenlander’ (foreigner).

Of course, there were plenty of kitchen disasters. Like the lasagna that looked more like soup, or the custard that became scrambled eggs before it became ice cream.

These failures were learning opportunities, though. Not the end of the world.

I became a pretty decent baker. No festive occasions goes by without baking my own sweet treats. That amaz-

eet smakelijk!

of my family’s favourite holiday recipes – my cinnamon koffiebroodjes (sticky buns). They’re perfect as part of a Christmas or New Year’s brunch. And they’re my holiday present to you.

Fijne feestdagen!

Koffiebroodjes Makes 16 buns For the dough: 225ml full- fat milk 80g butter 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 eggs, lightly beaten 550g flour, plus extra for the kneading and rolling 2 ½ tsps active dry yeast 80g caster sugar ½ tsp cinnamon pinch of salt For the filling: 40g melted butter 100g light brown sugar 100g raisins 1 ½ tsp cinnamon For the glaze: 70g icing sugar 2 tsps boiling water

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In a small pan, heat the milk and the butter until the butter is melted. Take the pan off the heat, add the vanilla and let cool to lukewarm. Whisk in the beaten eggs. In a big bowl, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the cooled milk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well with a floured wooden spoon. Flour your hands and dig into the bowl, kneading the dough inside the bowl. The dough will be sticky, so keep your hands well-floured! Of course, you can also do it the easy way and use a standing mixer, like a Kitchen Aid. Transfer the dough to a well-floured surface and knead it there for an additional five minutes if you're doing it by hand, or an additional minute if you’re using a machine.

Sprinkle the dough with more flour as necessary. Form the dough into a ball. Wash out your bowl and rinse it with hot water, dry it and sprinkle some flour both in the bowl and on your dough. Return the dough to the bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a tea cloth. Place the bowl in a warm spot and allow it to rise for 2 hours. Punch down your dough and knead it on a floured surface for about a minute. Roll it out to a rectangle of about 27 X 40 cm. Brush half of the melted butter over the whole surface of the dough. Make the filling by combining the sugar, raisins and cinnamon in a small bowl. Divide this mixture over the buttered dough. Roll the dough from the long side and slice it into 16 even pieces.

Line a 26 X 37 cm rectangular baking tin with parchment paper (leaving a little hanging over the edge) and place the buns in the pan. Brush the buns with the remaining butter.

Cover the tin with plastic wrap and the tea towel. Allow the buns to rise for additional 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Pop the koffiebroodjes in the oven for 30 minutes.

Check half way through to see if they are not getting too brown. Cover with foil if necessary! Set the tin on a rack to cool slightly. Remove the rolls from the baking tin by lifting them up with the baking paper. Make the glaze by whisking the sugar with the water. Drizzle the glaze over the koffiebroodjes.

GB edicht

Het is een vreemd soort taal, gedichten. Normaal gebruiken wij onze taal alsof het geld is: je geeft het uit en je ontvangt het. Maar je kijkt er eigenlijk nooit naar.

Je werkt ermee, maar je ziet het niet. In gedichten gaat dat anders: Dan kijk je in het hart van de taal. In het hart van de mens.

elicht Kleuterschool Je leerde lopen en je leerde praten Je was van ons, vier korte jaren lang Nu vegen we de kruimels van je wang Je gaat ons voor de eerste keer verlaten Je loopt de school in – helemaal niet bang We houden je nog even in de gaten En treuzelen nog wat bij het kordate Maar o zo kleine jasje in de gang Dag dochter, het doet toch een beetje pijn Je zult voortaan in klasjes en lokalen De halve week van iemand anders zijn Je ouders, meisje, slaan er zich wel door Ze zijn er straks weer om je af te halen Ook daar komt ooit nog iemand anders voor Ivo de Wijs

Het duurt even voor je in de gaten hebt dat je een heus gedicht aan het lezen bent. Zo doodgewoon zijn de woorden en zo natuurlijk rijm en ritme. Het gaat over grote stappen en kleuterbeentjes. Het gedicht reikt van de wieg tot de zelfstandigheid, van kind tot meisje. Een kind leeft in een eeuwig heden. Maar ouders herinneren zich het verleden en weten van de onvermijdelijke toekomst. Ze voelen nu al het toekomstig heimwee naar dit moment. Ivo de Wijs (foto links) zet dat allemaal op de muziek van een volmaakt sonnet.

En wij neuriën mee op het ritme van de regels. En een ogenblik voelen we zelf ook de onverzettelijkheid van de tijd. Wat was komt nooit meer terug. Ons verstand, onze kennis en ons tijdbesef laten ons niet aan de wetten van de tijd ontsnappen. Ook wij waren ooit die kleuter die argeloos een ander leven binnenstapte. Wat is daar nog van over? En wie is óns later komen halen, voorgoed uit het veilige huis van onze ouders? Uiteindelijk gaat dit gedicht over onszelf. Wij die er ons wel doorslaan. Maar wel met heimwee. foto Ivo de Wijs (1981), Beeld en Geluid.

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Saturday 30 August 2014 at 10 hours. On the Sint Servaas Bridge TV presenter Albert Verlinde and I nod at each other while passing. He is busy talking on the phone with his life-partner Onno Hoes, mayor of Maastricht. Today Maastricht presents itself to European Heads of States in the frame of ‘200 year Kingdom’. Namely: The Dutch and Belgian Royal couples, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and the German president and his partner.

For months Maastricht looked forward to this day.

Onno Hoes: “Maastricht, being the bridgehead of the Kingdom, is thé most European town in the Netherlands.

We have to develop that. The international institutions in the town, the international operating companies and the international living qualities make us very European. Therefore internationalising is the core-theme of Maastricht. The reason why we want to give the celebration of 200 year Kingdom an international cachet by binding our town with history, international relations and achievements.”

Maastricht celebrates 200 year Kingdom

words and photos Marianne Visser van Klaarwater 22

Euregio Maas-Rhine Today, 30 August, Maastricht gets the chance to secure itself in the Euregio Maas-Rhine. In the shopping centre Mosae Forum (Market on the Maas) no 10, the international press gathers.

On the square the first people arrive behind the barriers.

At two pm the blue bus arrives on the square in front of the Town Hall of Maastricht, which celebrates its 350th anniversary in 2014.

Head of States Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, governor of the King (and former Queen) in Overijssel since 2011, president of the National Committee of 200 year Kingdom, welcomes the Heads of States. His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima, His Majesty King Filip and Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium, as well as His Royal Highness the Grand Duke and Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Henri and Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and the German President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt.

Hello World In her welcome-speech Bijleveld-Schouten points out that today, Maastricht directs the spotlights on a world in which peace and security cannot be taken for granted anymore. The town shows this with the borderless music and fashion spectacle ‘hello world’.

Onno Hoes, mayor of Maastricht, added to this by pointing out that Maastricht has been the junction of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany throughout the millennia. “The formulating of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 strengthened the democracy in Europe and introduced the Economical and Monetary Union. The residents of town and region gladly take up the challenge to fully use the borderless Europe knowing that their own culture will not disappear.” Then the heads of states signed the visitor’s book of Maastricht. The harmony from Eijsden played Beethoven’s ‘alle Mensche werden Brüder’ to emphasize the alliance musically.

Phanta Rhei Then Ank Bijleveld accompanied the heads of states to the grandstand to watch a sparkling show named ‘Phanta Rhei’ (everything flows). The European rivers are the source of inspiration for breathtaking creations by artist and couturier Peter George d'Ángelino Tap. Like drops in a jet of water, Tap melts countries together using a combination of monumental creations, flags and symbols.

For the Danube series he incorporated some works by the painter Egon Schiele.

In close cooperation with Corine Haitjema (performance and production of the show) Tap establishes the name of Maastricht as ‘fashion city of Europe’.

Different artists performed the musical intermezzos: the Koninklijke Harmonie Ster van Maastricht, the Koninklijke Harmonie Saint Cecile from Eijsden, town carillonneur Frank Steijns, Hadewych Minis and Brigitte Heitzer.

Maastricht also owes its international image to the university, where people of hundreds of different nationalities study or work. The meaning of this is shown after the fashion parade; a sparkling performance by Belle Perez accompanied by students of the United World College of Maastricht. The mutual solidarity particularly struck me.

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Congress Hello World Solidarity is also prominent during the next part of the programme: the congress ‘Hello World’ in the theatre at the Vrijthof. At the centre of this is the international orientation of the kingdom, as well as its origins at the Congress of Vienna 200 years ago. There the decision was made for the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and Belgium.

Maastricht-born Frans Timmermans, minister of foreign affairs, points out the international character of Maastricht. “The Dutch nation is much older than the Kingdom of the Netherlands. But this kingdom has – over the last 200 years - developed in such a way that we regard it as the summit of our values, of what we are.”

first page of the Act of Abjuration (Nationaal Archief)

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In his own words Timmermans refers to the Plakkaat van Verlatinghe (Act of Abjuration) -26 July 1581. This was the reaction of the States General on the decision of King Filips II to outlaw Willem van Oranje. In this Act of Abjuration the States General renounced the Spanish royal with the text: ’Zijn onderdanen zijn niet door God geschapen ten zijnen behoeve. De vorst is daarentegen ter wille van zijn onderdanen geschapen, want zonder hen is hij geen vorst.” (His subjects have not been created

by God for his benefit. On the other hand the monarch has been created for the benefit of his subjects, because without them he would not be a monarch).

Democratic principle In 1581 this democratic principle was a revolutionary idea, but in the current European Union it goes without saying. According to Timmermans democracy is one of the ingredients that makes Europe. “Europeans claim freedom, democracy, protection by a constitutional state, common rules that are not attainable by everyone e.g. the rights when too sick, unemployed or too old to work, access to talent based education. That is uniquely European. This – in this form and shape -does not occur on any other continent and not even on the entire European continent.”

In that lies the opposition against the Union.

Timmermans: “The Union is being attacked because she is strong. The terrorists from the Sahel or from Syria and Iraq hate the way we Europeans live, because this way of living has to offer so much more. Their position of power depends on the rejection of our way of living. They direct their anger at us, because they are afraid that the European way of living will be more inviting for their own residents. Putin’s fear is that protesters will wave blue flags with yellow stars on the Red Square.”

Justice and freedom After his speech Timmermans announced the German President Joachim Gauck as the next speaker. The minister of Foreign Affairs considers the president the promise for justice and freedom. Gauck inspires Timmermans through his personal courage shown as a citizen of the then undemocratic East Germany. “He resisted the temptation to collaborate and kept on fighting for freedom. He has the most powerful weapon ever: Zivilcourage (Civil courage).” On his turn president

Gauck praises the international orientation of the Netherlands.

After that he made a fervent plea for the benefit and necessity of the European Union and European teamwork.

aware of our values and achievements, especially in these dark times.”

Gauck sees the Netherlands qua democracy as an example for many countries. ”You can be proud of your traditions. And you can be proud of the fact that the Netherlands again and again raise their voice and courageously fight for freedom. It is of mutual interest to work together.”

“No matter how big our grief and pain are, they make us realise what we stand for and what we should not loose. Therefore it is good that today we celebrate the anniversary of 200 year Kingdom.”

MH17 Gauck mentioned that it is difficult to celebrate an anniversary barely six weeks after the attack on the MH17. “The Netherlands still is in shock.” He shows respect for the way the Netherlands handled its grief and anger. “This participating, assured position of solidarity, is an example for all who feel compelled to peace and human rights.”

Referring to the hot spots in the world of today, like the Ukraine, Gauck points out the importance of solidarity.

“It is most important that we stay together in Europe and the entire Western World. It is important that we are

International character Gauck points out the international character of Maastricht, a bridge between the nations of the European Union. “The mutual solidarity reaches much further than the Act, which was signed here. Here in Maastricht, the birth city of the European Union, it is quite noticeable.

Situated between Belgium and Germany Maastricht is a world orientated town full of encounters. The many students, all from Europe, add to the cultural diversity.

Not just because politics and economy work close together past borderlines in the Euregio Maas-Rhine. This frees strength and makes ideas thrive.”

What would Maastricht be without its culinary delights? The town has been celebrating the Preuvenemint for the last ten years; the top of culinary Limburg presents itself here. Naturally a visit to the tasting market is on the programme for the heads of states too.

I join the stream of royal guests and walk with them to the Preuvenemint.

There the heads of states are treated to different wines and snacks. Finally a royal dinner awaits them in the government building.

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The Dutch Discoverer of Vitamins

Vitamin supplements have become so ubiquitous that it’s almost rebellious not to be taking them. This was not the case in 1883, when the Dutch government dispatched a young doctor named Christiaan Eijkman to Indonesia.

Though his research interests were broad, Eijkman (born in Nijkerk on 11 August 1858, the seventh child of a local schoolmaster) is most distinguished for his work on beriberi. Having studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam on a military scholarship, he was dispatched to Indonesia in 1883, which was then referred to as the Dutch East Indies. words Ray Cavanaugh

Eijkman by Jan Pieter Veth (1923) Universiteitsmuseum, University Utrecht 26

The Dictionary of Medical Biography tells how a recurring bout of malaria compelled him to head home to the Netherlands in 1885. He returned to Indonesia in 1886, commissioned by the Dutch government to research beriberi, a condition that had been ravaging southern Asia. Impacting the muscles and nerves, beriberi leads to the crippling of limbs, the retention of fluids and, ultimately, heart failure. Beriberi had posed quite the conundrum to medical experts. It was initially attributed to toxic vapors from damp soil. Others maintained that beriberi was a contagious disease.

Eijkman first worked with rabbits and monkeys, before switching to chickens, with which he would have better laboratory luck, according to Kenneth J. Carpenter’s book Beriberi, White Rice, and Vitamin B. At first, chickens were dropping left and right from beriberi. Then, several months into Eijkman’s chicken tenure, there was a change of chefs in the hospital providing the rice. The new chef fed the chickens a lower-grade unpolished rice, and they suddenly recovered.

This was very startling stuff for Eijkman. Evidently, there was something in the new rice -which contained the husk enveloping the unpolished rice grain- that made a world of difference. For a total of six years, he worked with chickens, trying to figure out what exactly it was about this unpolished rice that contained what he called the ‘anti-beriberi factor’.

In 1897, health problems once again forced him to return to the Netherlands, where he was selected as the Chairman of the Institute of Hygiene in Utrecht. Soon after his return home, Eijkman published an article about his work with the chickens in a leading scientific journal.

At first, other scientists were skeptical that a different strain of rice could eradicate such a debilitating condition as beriberi, and not everyone was impressed with his research. In fact, one respondent described Eijkman’s work as ‘the most inadequate product which can be found in the literature from the director of a scientific institute’.

Eventually, the scientific community came around, as further incidences showed the drastic benefit of unpolished rice in combating beriberi. Eijkman’s ‘antiberiberi factor’ was later identified as thiamine (Vitamin B1). The actual term ‘vitamin’ wasn’t coined until 1912, when Polish biochemist Casimir Funk researched the subject after reading one of Eijkman’s articles. Years after his discovery with the chickens, Eijkman remained cautious about the root cause of beriberi. A full decade into the 20th century, he suspected that, although the thiamine played a pivotal role, beriberi was the result of a ‘bacterial pathogen’. Owing to his cautiousness, Eijkman was referred to by colleagues as a ‘reluctant father of the vitamin theory’.

There was, indeed, much of the fortuitous about the ‘reluctant father’s’ discovery: a change of chefs, a change of rice. Does the fact that luck played such a role diminish the achievement? Most in the scientific community would likely disagree. After all, some of the most noteworthy scientific achievements (X-Rays, penicillin, even LSD) have been accidental. And,

accident or not, it takes a discerning mind to realise the implications of what has taken place in an experiment.

As Eijkman grew older, he became more involved with public issues, such as housing, physical education, and the prevention of alcoholism and tuberculosis. However, his role in the understanding of vitamins and their importance did not go forgotten: Eijkman was awarded the 1929 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, sharing the honour with English biochemist Sir Frederick Hopkins, also a proponent of the idea that adequate nutrition required ‘accessory factors’. The elderly Eijkman would not be able to enjoy this supreme distinction for long, as he died on 5 November 1930, following a lengthy illness.

His legacy in Indonesia still survives, as the capital city of Jakarta has the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology.

Beriberi has, in some cases, been an ironic condition, in that it plagued the more affluent, as polished rice was often a luxury - a dangerous one in retrospect, as it lacked thiamine. Carpenter’s book on beriberi points out how, in such countries as Japan, ‘poor rickshaw boys’ seemed immune to the condition, which instead brought its misery to the more economically fortunate.

A similar situation occurred in colonial-era Brazil, where beriberi would take out plantation owners, and spare the slaves. These days, in developed countries, the (polished) white rice is typically enriched with thiamine; so cases of beriberi in developed countries now almost always involve individuals with alcoholism so severe that they have neglected to eat anything of sound nutritional value.

For countless millennia, so much of life had been a struggle to get enough to eat. In the past century - thanks largely to Eijkman - emphasis has switched towards eating the right things, as vitamins are recognised for being an essential part of a diet. Beriberi still remains an issue in some poorer countries, where the food supply is woefully inadequate. However, there is at least awareness about thiamine (and other vitamin) deficiency.

One can only guess as to how many millions of lives this knowledge has spared.

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Hunebedden

words and photos Odi Busman

The famous exclamation “Ik bid nie veur bruune boon’n” (I will not pray for brown beans) is immediately associated with Bartje (books by Anne de Vries) and Drenthe (province in the north-east part of the Netherlands), but also hunebedden (dolmen) of which 52 are spread across this province.

Dolmens are the oldest visible archaeological monuments in the north-eastern part of the Netherlands and are part of the Dutch Cultural Heritage.

The Hunebedden, stone burial chambers, were built by and for the Trechterbekervolk (Funnel mug people) in the new Stone Age, the Neolithicum, from 3450 till 3250 BC and were used until about 2850 BC. The name Threchterbekervolk relates to the shape of the majority of the earthenware that was found in the hunebedden. The large black boulders that were used to make the hunebedden were pushed into the Netherlands during the severe Ice Age of about 150,000 years ago in which enormous glaciers from Sweden and Finland extended into the Netherlands and dragged loam and boulders along.

After it became warmer and the ice melted away a layer of loam and boulders stayed behind. The most popular theory of the way the people built the dolmens is that the large boulders were – with the help of ropes, oxen and a lot of manpower – dragged to the allocated spots.

In the Netherlands the hunebedden are placed from east to west, this orientation has probably been stipulated by celestial influences. The place and design was probably set by the sun rise.

In the dolmens near Drouwen about 400 pieces of earthenware were found. Except for the characteristic funnel mugs in different dolmens spoons with a hollow stem (probably feeding bottles), bottles, shoulder pots, dishes and buckets were found. Different axes, arrow points and scrapers were found too, as well as jewellery made of coal, amber and copper.

Human bones were not found in the Netherlands, they disintegrated over time in the acid soil.

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The largest dolmen of the Netherlands is next to the Hunebedcentrum near Borger and is 23m long and has 9 cover stones.

Bartje did not like brown beans, but I am having brown beans with apples and ham in a minute.

Ham had a symbolic meaning in the old Drenthe.

If a young man wanted to marry a beauty from Drenthe, he was invited for dinner at her parents place. If ham was served the parents agreed to the marriage. However, if half a pig’s head was placed on the table the parents would like the young man to leave.

Dutch/Flemish movies words Darren Arnold

The Hous of Magic

The House of Magic (known in the Netherlands as Flits & Het Magische Huis) is a Belgian production and the latest animated offering from director Ben Stassen. Stassen is known for the likes of his two Turtle’s Tale films and Fly Me to the Moon; just as with those three titles, The House of Magic is presented in 3D. The central character in The House of Magic is a rather cute and charming cat that goes by the rather ironic name of Thunder (Thunder and the House of Magic is the film’s US title). Abandoned by his owners, Thunder eventually finds shelter in the form of a spooky mansion owned by a kindly old magician. The house is also populated by some animals - a rabbit takes particular exception to Thunder’s presence - and a selection of clockwork toys, most of which form part of the magician’s act as he entertains sick children in hospital. While Thunder causes a bit of a stir as he joins the household, a far more sinister character enters the fray in the form of the magician’s nephew, who’s scheming to get his hands on the mansion by packing his uncle off to a retirement home. As you’d expect, the animals and toys have other ideas and set about hampering the nephew’s efforts to show prospective buyers around the property.

It is a pity that, despite a solid opening sequence and its engaging main character, The House of Magic never really delivers on its initial promise. As with Stassen’s other films (at least those that I’ve seen), it is a competent, serviceable work with decent animation yet is frequently

undone by lazy writing. There’s a tonal uncertainty here, too while the film probably won’t be appreciated much by older children, some younger ones may find some scenes to be slightly scary. The 3D is effective in the opening stretches, yet tails off considerably as the film progresses - disappointing, especially when considering Stassen’s experience with the format.

It came as little surprise to learn that The House of Magic started life as a theme park attraction, and perhaps what we have here is something that’s been extended way beyond its reasonable running time - there are similarities with both Disney’s Haunted Mansion (another feature film based on a theme park ride) and Stassen’s own short IMAX effort Haunted Castle.

Children’s animation is a difficult and ultracompetitive field for those operating outside of the Disney-Pixar-Hollywood setup, and while The House of Magic is not without its flaws, it is good to see Stassen forging a successful career and getting his films out there. DVD and 3D Blu-ray editions of the film should be widely available by the time you read this.

Darren visited the London Film Festival 2014 and has placed reviews of the films he attended on http://letterboxd.com/hollandfocus/films/diary/ 29

Fruit in wine jelly with Marasquin

Jellies appealed to the court tremendously. Sometimes even four kinds of jellies are put on the lists. Here Macedoine de fruits au marasquin (29 July 1839), also to be found with the famous Antonin Carême, le Cuisinier Parisien (1828), who undoubtedly has been consulted for this recipe. This is a sweet jelly, not boiled down with sugar, but stiffened with ‘fish glue’ – the gelatine used then and obtained from the bladder of a sturgeon – a preparation not yet mentioned in the Geheel Nieuwe, en Volkomen Handboek voor Minervaren Koks, Keukenmeiden en Jong Gehuwden Vrouwen (1814) [Entirely New, and Complete Reference Book for Lessexperienced Cooks, Kitchen Maids and Newly Married Women]. In the foreword the author grumbles that his contemporaries look a lot like the Roman Alicius with their expensive goods. ...furthermore they end their recipes with the weak and boring assurance ‘is very good, taste beautiful’ etc. but not one mentions ‘is healthy’. A health freak founder for sure! Evidently head-chef Gros did not care about this, as he decided to use his exquisite recipe 'Macedoine or Fruit-jelly', with marasquin, which you can use too, although no quantities are mentioned then, as was common in those days. This is a tasty and elegant jelly especially for ladies – but the gentlemen like it too.

3dl sweet white (Rhine) wine 1dl marasquin 250g sugar Peel of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon lemon juice 14 gelatine leaves (28g) 7dl water 1.5kg mixed fresh fruit (strawberries, redcurrants, blueand raspberries, cherries, black berries, plums) Boil wine, marasquin, sugar, lemon peel and lemon juice in a saucepan. Leave to simmer for a few minutes.

Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water. Remove the pan from the heat, squeeze excess water from the gelatine and mix through the fragrant contents until they are entirely dissolved. Remove the lemon peel and pour in 7dl water. Leave to cool down.

Clean the fruits, remove pips and cut large fruits into small pieces.

Poor a layer of the jelly on the bottom of a mould/bowl with a 2 litre capacity (diameter 20-22cm, height 8cm) and place in fridge to set.

Place a layer of fruit on the set jelly, poor liquid jelly over it again and place in fridge to set once again. Make beautiful colourful alternate layers like this until the bowl is filled.

Cover with plastic foil and leave in the fridge overnight.

Lightly warm the bowl on the outside by placing it in lukewarm water, place a plate on top of it and turn.

Serve at room temperature with sorbet ice-cream or fruit coulis (sauce). a page from the book Vorstelijk Tafelen in Nederland, enjoyv the recipe

30

This Dutch cookbook (in English) is essential for people that would like to learn more about Dutch cooking and are interested in the trends that decades long ruled the kitchens in the Netherlands. This generously illustrated book adorned with beautiful photos from e.g.

Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Historic Museum is an excellent present for every enthusiastic home cook.Besides recipes the cookbook has cultural interesting background information. It is a mine of information for people interested in the Dutch culture.

The occasion to publish the book was the 400 year New York celebrations in 2009.

Mr De Rooij presented the first book to Princess Máxima.

Een unieke beschrijving van de vaderlandse kookgeschiedenis, boordevol vorstelijke gerechten!

Laat u verrassen of verras uw vriend, vriendin, relatie of familie met een kostelijk verhaal over de Nederlandse kookkunst met vorstelijke gerechten van Koning Willem I in de hoofdrol!

• luxe uitvoering met harde kaft • full colour • 250 pagina’s • formaat 208 x 288 mm • 300 foto’s en illustraties • 150 authentieke gerechten • receptuur met volledige beschrijving • aanbevolen lectuur

excellent gift idea BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND Holland Focus readers enjoy a considerable discount on both books The book ‘Dutch Culinary Art’ costs AU$28 instead of AU$40 The book ‘Vorstelijk Tafelen in Nederland’ costs AU$44 instead of AU$56. Prices do not include postage within Australia and to New Zealand (from Australia).

ow! n r e ord

orders before 20 February 2015 will be delivered in March 2015 To order the books or for more information, please contact Holland Focus email: editor@hollandfocus.com or phone +61 (0)3 9751 2795.

More info on www.hollandfocus.com and www.vorstelijktafelen.nl

ROYAL DINING This year, during May and June many restaurants, care homes, museums, but also the armed forces in the Netherlands had on their menus recipes from the book Vorstelijk Tafelen in Nederland.

In line with this initiative the Dutch Culinary Art Foundation and Holland Focus - as part of the 200 year Kingdom celebrations will help organise different dinners based on recipes from the books ‘Vorstelijk Tafelen in Nederland’ and ‘Dutch Culinary Art’ in Australia and New Zealand.

The dinners should be organised on or close to Koningsdag 2015.

If your club or organisation is interested please call +61 (03) 9751 2795 or email editor@hollandfocus.com for more information.

Together we can do it!

31

Save

the Vergulde Draeck Inscription Rock Australia’s oldest European rock inscription will be destroyed. How could this possibly happen? Why would such an important part of our earliest contact history be so easily erased? words Henry van Zanden In 1656, the Dutch ship, Vergulde Draeck, [Gilt Dragon] struck what is now known as the Gilt Dragon Reef not far north of Perth. Seventy five survivors made it safely ashore including ten women and an unknown number of children. This was confirmed by the safe arrival in Batavia of seven of the survivors aboard the ship’s boat.

Unfortunately the rescue ships were unable to effect a rescue and a further 11 men became marooned.

Unable to find enough fresh water or food, the Vergulde Draeck survivors trekked inland to what was once a huge lake: the Karakin Lakes.

An Aboriginal tribe, who lived on the south side of the Moore River which fed directly into the lake, befriended the white tribe and they lived happily together for several years. The white tribe lived north of the river on the higher embankments where they created a permanent village that grew to as many as 300 people.

Unfortunately, after a few years, relations between the black and white tribes became strained resulting in open warfare between the two groups. As a result, the white tribe had a standing militia of most likely pikemen to defend their village. Stone walls were built to defend themselves.

However, their leader, Captain Pieter Albertszoon, did not give up hope that one day they would be rescued. Scouts were regularly sent to strategic coast locations to wait, watch and hope that one day a ship’s sail would be seen on the horizon.

One of these locations must have been the site of the Vergulde Draeck Inscription stone. Inscribed clearly were the words: Vergulde Draeck 1656.

Tragically the rock’s destruction is the result of a difference of opinion. On one side we have Robert Bednarik, one of the world’s most respected and sought after rock inscription expert and President of the International Federation of Rock Art Organisations, and on the other, the Western Australian Maritime Museum [WAMM].

Bednarik is a world pioneer in dating rock art. He was the first in the world to date rock art directly with radiometric methods; developed first non-interfering rock art dating method (micro-erosion method); introduced advanced statistics in Australian archaeology. He developed new techniques for assessing weathering of silica minerals; invented an instrument to measure the porosity of rock; conducted first comprehensive study of wall markings in caves. He was also responsible for major scientific discoveries in various countries, including oldest known rock art in the world, first Palaeolithic art of China, and most cave art of Australia.

He has over 500 refereed scientific publications and, overall, about 1,210 publications that include several books. He has also presented about 65 papers at professional meetings and has approximately 535 interviews in both the printed and electronic media throughout the world.

32

WAMM has relied mainly on the expertise of Dr Wendy Duivendoorde, a lecturer in maritime archaeology focusing mainly on maritime trade and shipbuilding. She is also an expert in the study of ship’s fastenings and anchors.

Both examined the Vergulde Draeck Inscription rock but they came away with very different findings. Dr Wendy Van Duivenoorde declared that the inscription was unlikely to be real basing her findings on ‘its geological examination and study of the script itself’. Although her expertise is in timber, she has studied Postal Stones from 1601–1657 relating to ships heading to and from Batavia.

Robert Bednarik, vehemently opposed her view in the following way: Dear Sir or Madam, Having just received a copy of a brochure entitled Ocean Reef Marina: Concept Plan, I wish to provide some highly relevant information and prevent a planning error from occurring.

According to the map you provide, it seems to me that within the zone affected by this development is the site of Australia’s earliest known European inscription.

Purporting to be an inscription by survivors of a Dutch shipwreck, this was found in the 1950s, reported in a Perth newspaper and then examined by two geology students and pronounced a fake. After being ignored for half a century, a group of researchers tried to relocate the inscribed rock, and after initially failing did find, almost buried in the sand, one piece of the rock, with part of the inscription. The rock slab had been smashed with a sledgehammer, apparently still in the 1950s. I conducted a microscopic examination of the remaining letters, using a method of estimating the antiquity of petroglyphs (rock art), and determined that the letters were indeed made several centuries ago, and could not possibly be a fake.

It is apparent that the remaining fragments of the rock slab, which was over two metres long, are still buried in the sand. In view of the vandalism that occurred probably in the 1950s, we decided that the best protection of the site and its contents is to keep silent. Your development, however, will re-shape the coast and thus destroy both the site and its contents. Fortunately there is a simple solution that will not only solve our problem, but also considerably enhance your development.

This site is of major historical significance to Australia. I have examined about a dozen very early European rock inscriptions (see e.g. enclosed article) and there is no doubt that this is the earliest in the country. I propose that the site be fully explored, the remaining pieces of the slab be recovered if possible, and be permanently exhibited on site, in a small museum / exhibit emphasising the importance of early Dutch contact.

Not only would this solve our problem of protecting the relic(s), it would enhance the marina development and add a new dimension to it. For instance, you could name specific features of it after Dutch individuals of the time.

On that basis I request that the site be excavated under my supervision by Perth archaeologists, and that whatever is found be housed in an exhibition building next to the original site. Can I suggest that you request three of my collaborators who are Perth residents to meet the person responsible for planning this project, to arrange an inspection of the site, and to determine what course of action you wish to take. I emphasise that my position of Convener / CEO of the International Federation of Rock Art Organisations forbids me from financially benefiting from my work, i.e. I am not interested in gaining from this exercise financially. My purpose is purely to preserve this relic.

Yours sincerely, Robert G. Bednarik, CEO, IFRAO However, for reasons known only to the WAMM, Dr Duivendoorde’s opinion was accepted. As a result, the rock inscription is now no longer protected. This means that the rock can be legally destroyed by the developers of the marina.

I recently contacted Robert Bednarik regarding the likely destruction of the VD inscription. He wrote: ...’It is very important to salvage the VD rock, because it does seem to be authentic, contrary to the Museum’s claims. If it is, its loss would be unacceptable. Even if it is modern it should be preserved, if only to be available for future analytical techniques...’

What you can do to save Australia’s oldest European rock inscription?

1. Write your concerns to: John Day, Minister for Culture and the Arts WA, as well as Mayor Troy Pickard, PO Box 21 Joondalup WA 6919 2. Letters to the editor of the major newspapers 3. Letters to the Dutch Ambassador and Consul-General 4. Letters to newspapers in the Netherlands 5. Sign the online Vergulde Draeck 1656 Inscription petition site: http://www.thepetitionsite. com/855/411/421/save-the-rock/ 6. Ring talkback radio

33

Robert Bednarik at the entrance

TEGENVOETER

MEEUW gull

photo Yolande Hisgen

In the early sixties the whole wide world was shocked

by Hitchcock’s horror movie hit ‘The Birds’. Because I was only ten, I wasn’t allowed to see this macabre film, but I heard terrifying stories of men and women being chased and violently attacked and even killed by waves of gulls and crows. Because of Hitchcock (what’s in a name?) and this thriller, birds had lost their innocence forever for me.

In those days I had a close encounter with gulls. The father of my best friend Edgar was an enthusiastic bird watcher. Early one morning in spring he took us birding in the dunes between Scheveningen and Wassenaar. Edgar’s father gave each of us a stick.

‘De meeuwen broeden,’ (the gulls are brooding) he whispered ominously: ‘They don’t like people near their nests’. But then he smiled reassuringly: ‘When they attack, just hold your stick up high, for gulls always attack the highest point’.

words Ruud Hisgen 34

aristocrats should return to their natural habitats because they weren’t born to be citydwellers.

Apparently, birding was not as harmless and boring a hobby as I had imagined it to be. Sitting gulls can be aggressive and will attack if you approach their nests.

There we were in the cold morning sun. Edgar and I were about to play our roles in a scene that Hitchcock could have designed for ‘Birds II’. We walked and walked through the dunes and along the beach, but the gulls left us alone and we never had to use our sticks. What a disappointment. Fifty years later, I remember my one and only birding adventure and still feel that sensation of imminent danger.

The word MEEUW also exists in Great Britain where the bird is known as ‘gull’. Gull is one of the few Celtic words that managed to invade the Anglo-Saxon language. In Welsh the bird is known as ‘gŵylan’, in Cornish ‘guilan’, in Breton ‘goelann’ (in French ‘goéland’), in Old Irish ‘foilenn’ and in modern Irish ‘faoileann’. The Breton word ‘goelaff’ means ‘to weep’; so is a ‘gull’ a weeping bird?

And is there a connection with the old myth that has it that gulls are the reincarnated souls of drowned sailors?

These large gulls that attack so aggressively, are called ‘zilvermeeuwen’ (herring gulls). The birds fled from the dunes because foxes ate their eggs when they were put out by nature lovers in the eighties of the previous century. Gulls have been prowling around The Hague ever since. They nest on flat roofs in the city because the surfaces are covered with gravel and look like the gulls’ natural dune habitat. The sea is too far now and that’s why the birds rip open garbage bags in search of food.

MEEUW is a Germanic word which also occurs in Old English as is proven by this quote from the wonderful poem ‘The Seafarer’ which mentions the singing of the gull: ‘mæw singende’ ‘Hwilum ylfete song dyde ic me to gomene, ganetes hleoþor and huilpan sweg fore hleahtor wera, mæw singende fore medodrince’.

In the centre of The Hague fish shop Simonis has a notice warning their herring eaters that they should eat their fish underneath the sunshade where the gulls cannot attack from the sky. Hagenaars call these robber-gulls ‘luchtratten’ (flying rats). Gulls don’t deserve this abusive name. They are beautiful wild hunters and kings and queens of the sea and the sky along the coast. These

([Exiled on the sea I heard nothing But the resounding sea, the ice-cold waves.]

Sometimes the song of the swan I took for my pleasure, the cry of the gannet, and the music of the curlew for the laughter of men, the gull’s singing for the drinking of mead.)

this photo and photo left Ruud Hisgen 35

˃˃˃˃

De zilvermeeuw Sinds Reinaert al haar kuikens vrat en eieren roofde in het duin, voedt zij haar kroost op in de stad en broedt platdak op grind en puin.

Apparently Shetlanders still use the word ‘maw’ instead of ‘gull’, the Scots and English sometimes use the word ‘mew’ and in North America there are ‘mew gulls’. In Germany they call the MEEUW, ‘Möwe’. According to etymologist Ms Nicoline van der Sijs the word was written down in Dutch in 1287 for the first time.

Etymologists have no idea what the exact origins are of the word MEEUW (maw, mew, möwe). Does it go back to old Germanic words meaning ‘blue’ or ‘brash’ or ‘cheeky’? The word MEEUW resembles a cat’s ‘miaow’ and in Frisian the word is even spelled as ‘meau’ or ‘mieu’. So the sound of the word could be an echo of the gull’s cry. Another theory is more to my liking. In Old Norse the word for gull ‘mær’ also means ‘slim’ or ‘narrow’ and this could refer to the elegant shape of the bird.

There is more to the MEEUW than an ordinary ‘luchtrat’ (sky rat). They may look at you with a psychopathic grin, but in essence they are banished aristocrats. So here is a little ode I wrote to the ZILVERMEEUW (herring gull) for a little book of poetry called ‘Gedichten van de badmeester’ (poems by the life guard) from 2002.

Underneath is a literal translation for your convenience. photo above Belginchocolat

Uit haar zandig paradijs vol zeebanket verdreven, moet zij vogelvrij en wereldwijs van ranzig afval leven.

De zee kan zij nu wel vergeten: vissen is voortaan taboe.

“Verandering van spijs doet vreten,” bijt kokmeeuw haar venijnig toe.

The herring gull Since Reynard preyed on her chicks and robbed all her eggs in the dunes, she must breed her kids down town and brood stony broke on gravel roofs.

Banished from her paradise of sand and seafood she is outlawed and lives worldly-wise on rancid rubbish.

She can shake off the sea by now: fishing is henceforth taboo.

‘Variety is the spice of life,’ snarls black-headed gull at her.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE In 1955 I was employed by an electrical firm in Adelaide.

We arrived in Australia in October 1954 and this was the first Christmas I experienced in the workforce. The first time I made my acquaintance with the ‘break up’ party.

The store had been cleaned and swept and a long trestle had been placed in the middle. On top of the white paper tablecloth stood numerous dishes with food. Mainly seafood and chicken. Behind the trestle was a table with ‘the keg’. At 2pm the fun began.

The managing director held a speech and wished us all a Merry Christmas.

Then we all made a beeline for the food. I noticed that most of the employees went for the chicken as seafood was cheap at that time and readily available during the year. While all this was going on the table with the keg was frequently visited. They all toasted each other with ‘Merry Christmas’ and other good wishes.

I had a big problem though. I was a teetotaller, but I felt I had to make an effort to belong and accepted a glass of beer. One glass became two, then three etc, etc.

By the time the party finished I was somewhat unsteady on my feet. However, I managed to stumble to my bus stop. Next to it was a service station which sold Christmas trees. There and then I decided to buy a tree for my wife and little daughter.

About 10 minutes later I stood waiting for my bus with a more than 6 feet Christmas tree standing next to me. The bus arrived and I tried to get on.

The bus driver thought otherwise.

“Mate, you can’t get on this bus with that flaming Christmas tree” “Why not?”

“Because I say so”.

A burly Aussie who sat near to the entrance said: “Come on driver, let this silly bastard on board with his tree. It’s Christmas you know”.

“No, I can’t do it. It’s against regulations”.

Somebody else in the bus yelled: “Blow your regulations. Do the right thing yer mug”.

The driver saw he was getting unpopular and grudgingly let me on the bus. It took some time to manoeuvre the tree into the bus.

And there I stood, in the gangway with tree branches tickling the noses of the grinning passengers who said “good one ya mate”.

However, the bus driver got his revenge.

When he halted at my stop he closed the automatic door when I nearly had my tree out, nipping the top neatly of the tree.

That Christmas we had our first Christmas tree in Australia.

Unfortunately without a star at the top. .

J.D.

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words Ton van Rooij photos ’n Bende van 5

In 2013, painter, sculptress and photographer Antoinette Cremers, who works under her artist’s name Antoinette C.H., came up with a unique concept. Dubbed ‘n Bende van 5 (A Gang of 5), she brought together talents from five different disciplines to give their views on art: four visual artists, three cooks, a sommelier, a chocolatier and a double bassist.

Under the name ‘n Bende van 5 – Het totale genieten (A Gang of 5 – the total enjoyment), a three-day event was organised in November 2013 at brasserie ‘Aankomst’ (‘Arrival’) in Roosendaal. Visitors then could relish the ensemble’s craftsmanship with their own eyes, ears and taste buds.

From 14 to 16 November of this year, a somewhat altered team will serve the second round of ‘n Bende van 5 – this time with honey instead of chocolate.

‘n Bende van 5 A unique, multidisciplinary look at art

words Ton van Rooij photos 'n Bende van 5 38

Art, music, eating and drinking blended together Participating in ‘n Bende van 5 in 2013 were, besides Cremers, artists Maia Ascanio, Ingrid Onstenk and Marleen van Hout, cooks Ben van Sprundel, John Jongenelen and Mireille Brosens, double bassist Joél Schelling, sommelier Jeroen Smeenk and chocolatiers Hein and Wim Geers.

The four artists put together an exhibition in the rear area of brasserie ‘Aankomst’, which could be viewed for free from 8 to 10 November 2013. “All artworks were exclusively made for this exhibition,” Cremers mentions with delight.

In November 2013, ‘n Bende van 5 opened with a special dinner arrangement. First, the guests visited an exhibition of works by the four artists, after which they drank an aperitif. They then had dinner with the sounds of live music played by Schelling. The fifth course was quite special, as it combined wine with chocolate!

“In the past,” Wim Geers recalls, “you could not combine chocolate with wine. But nowadays, there are wines and types of chocolate that perfectly match with each other.

I have been a chocolatier all my life and then turned to making stone and bronze sculptures. My son took care of combining chocolate and wine for ‘n Bende van 5, while I was asked for providing the artistic touch by making sculptures out of chocolate.”

Regarding his role in the team, Smeenk explains: “At dinner, the art of the sommelier is to create a special taste experience by combining wine and food.” It turns out he’s an artist as well. “The corks from wine bottles inspired me to start creating wine-related art. So that’s how wine and art álso came together in ‘n Bende van 5.”

Inextricably linked: Antoinette C.H. and bee wax In June 2012, Cremers graduated in fine arts from the

Academy of Fine Art and Design | St. Joost in Den Bosch.

Additionally, she pursued an education in painting at the Municipal Art Academy in Arendonk, Belgium. She also started a training in sculpture there, but then switched to studying this subject at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

Reflecting on one of her photographs, Cremers says: “This is a photo I took of a sculpture I made. It depicts a dying foot, symbolising both sacrifice and sensitivity.

I first modelled the foot in clay. Of that foot I made a break-mould, which I processed on the inside with plaster and strengthened with jute. I finished the mould with bee wax, so that the vividness and transparency was preserved, thus bringing back life in dead matter. What I want to express with this – and that’s one of the main themes in my entire work – is that by breaking something you can bring out new life. The mystery of life and death interests me greatly. My work is not a sublimation of death, but a battle that enables you to live. Other important features of my art are drama, vulnerability and a feeling for detail. Recognisable in it are humanity, skin, intimacy, brittleness, layering, impermanence, colour, emotions, silence, atmosphere and sensitivity.”

In her paintings, Cremers has a preference for using bee wax and oil paint. Why bee wax? “Bee wax offers lots of possibilities to express yourself, to let your visual language speak,” she feels. “With bee wax, you can both paint and sculpt, which is ideal for my paintings, as these all have a sculptural character; they’re quite thick. The amorphous and polymorphous characteristics of bee wax also make the paintings fragile and brittle – a metaphor for vulnerability and impermanence.”

Work of Cremers has been exhibited home and abroad, in places like Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Den Bosch, Meppel, Valkenburg, Copenhagen and Oslo. “At this moment,

three to four months to make, I merged materials like glass, fabric and beads, but also used various paints and techniques. When you look at it, you go: ‘Yes, it makes sense!’ Not only is what I make one of a kind, it’s also very difficult to imitate, because the materials used, largely gifted to me, are hard to come by or sometimes even completely unique.”

Ingrid Onstenk has been active as a sculptress for some 25 years now. “The objects I sculpt,” she says, “vary in size from very small to around two meters tall. I make them in stone, bronze, wax and steel, either Cor-Ten steel [weathering steel] or sheet steel. My bigger stone statues always have a steel frame. Every time I have cut such a statue, I have to think of a construction where stone and steel best achieve their potential. I also create installations, for which I use arbitrary materials.

Everything I make has a certain degree of sensuality – that’s running like a red thread through my work.“ Musician Joél Schelling, who enrolled at the Rotterdam Conservatory this year, was honoured to be approached for ‘n Bende van 5. “I thought that was really special, because the chances of playing all by yourself as a double bassist are pretty slim.”

Schelling is leader of the double bass section of the Euregio Jeugdorkest (Youth orchestra) in Goirle. “In July 2013, we won the first prize in the category ‘symphony orchestras’ at the Summa Cum Laude Youth Music Festival in Vienna,” he enthuses. “In addition to that, I play in three bands: a rock, funk/soul and jazz band.”

work of mine is hanging in Munich,” she’s proud to say.

“And next spring, it will go to Paris.”

Marleen van Hout’s strong connection with nature The other artist returning this year is Marleen van Hout, who creates traditionally-made artworks with a nod to new media. Eight years ago, she graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts and Education in Tilburg to become a visual arts and design teacher, a profession she came to practice at secondary schools in Rotterdam and Tilburg.

Her graduation work was exhibited at the town hall of Goirle and together with a fellow students, she had an exhibition at Kunstpodium T (Art Podium T) in Tilburg.

She’s now following sculpture classes at the Municipal Art Academy in Arendonk, which is where she met Cremers.

What is it that inspires Van Hout? “What I’ve become very interested in are old Chinese and Japanese ink drawings,” the artist replies. “I think it’s very beautiful that the makers of those manage to capture the essence with just a few lines. That inspired me to start occupying myself with that, too. And what recurs throughout my work is nature. In a very simple way, I try to embody the beauty of nature in my art.”

With one of her – pleasantly lit – works, she illustrates this. “Hanging on threads in this frame are rose petals, dipped in plaster and then processed with Indian ink.

With this, I want to draw attention to the essence and beautiful structure of these petals.”

About this particular work, Cremers notes: “Not only the image itself is interesting, but also the image generated by the shadows. This makes her work very thrilling. That’s why Marleen plays with light a great deal.”

Second edition of ‘n Bende van 5 focusing on honey Contributing to this second ‘n Bende van 5 event are both old and new faces. Still part of the collective are Cremers, Van Hout, Schelling, Van Sprundel, Jongenelen and Brosens. They now have been joined by artists Monique van der Ploeg, Ineke Keesom and Charles Vergouwen, wine connoisseur Floris Verlinden and beekeeper Fraukje Bonnema.

Cremers: “Monique makes, among other things, drawings and graphic work. Ineke’s oeuvre includes jewellery and statues, preferably statues that can be placed on or in water. Charles is a stone sculptor and bronze caster. Floris is general director of wine company Wijn Verlinden, while Fraukje, who works at bee keeping company Het

Recycling, sensuality and music Just like Van Hout’s oeuvre is nature-related, so is Maia Ascanio’s, but in a completely different sense. “For me, nature is not the inspiration source, but the starting point,” the Brazilian-born artist, a medical biologist by trade, elucidates. “I use it to convey a message, to tell an ecological story. What’s also very important in my work is recycling. Materials that have nothing in common with each other come together in it.”

He shows an example of this, a ‘painting’ made out of glass and other materials. “For this artwork, which took 40

Honingmagazijn [The Honey Warehouse], will show what a bee keeper does and inform visitors about making honey. For this second event, a glossy has been printed in which all involved present themselves.”

The presence of Bonnema has everything to do with the theme of the event: honey. “But,” Cremers points out, “all artists were free to make their own material choices and use their own visual language. It will be exciting to see how this is fulfilled and interpreted by them all!”

photos starting page 38: The majority of the members ’n Bende van 5 was made up of in 2013. In the front row, artists Marleen van Hout (left) and Antoinette C.H. are pictured. Standing behind them, from left to right, are chocolatier/sculptor Wim Geers, sommelier/artist Jeroen Smeenk, artist Ingrid Onstenk, artist Maia Ascanio and double bassist Joél Schelling; ’n Bende van 5 stands for the total enjoyment – and this includes delicious food; page 39: This large glass sculpture was among Maia Ascanio’s works that were on display at brasserie ‘Aankomst’ from 8 to 10 November 2013; Once again participating in ’n Bende van 5 is double bass player Joél Schelling; This frame with processed rose petals by Marleen van Hout was exhibited in 2013 for ’n Bende van 5; previous page: Some of the sculptures by Ingrid Onstenk that could be viewed at the first event ’n Bende van 5 organised; Sommelier Jeroen Smeenk, explaining something to a guest of brasserie ‘Aankomst’ in November 2013; Art piece by Ineke Keesom, one of this year’s members of ’n Bende van 5

Practical information ‘n Bende van 5 will be held from 4:55 pm on 14 November to 5:05 pm on 16 November 2014 at brasserie ‘Aankomst’ of Best Western City Hotel Goderie, Stationsplein 5a-5b in Roosendaal.

Websites: www.antoinette-art.nl and www.hotelgoderie.nl.

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accommodation in the Netherlands

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self-CONSTRUCTIVE with

Lilith Love

Dutch selfie queen Lilith Love, initiates the national selfie exhibition.

More than 500 people replied when Dutch photographer Lilith Love, born 1964 in Sevenum, asked people to send in their best selfie. Some even sent in more than one. In total about 570 selfies were received. They are shown at the exhibition ‘self-CONSTRUCTIVE’, along 28 large self-portraits by Lilith.

The opening of the exhibition ‘self-CONSTRUCTIVE was on September 26. Between 250 and 300 people attended the opening.

Earlier, the photos were placed on a Facebook page and people could comment and/or ‘like’ them. The 8 photographs with the most likes were enlarged for the exhibition. One of these winning works was selected by Lilith and printed on the huge banner displayed on the facade of the building where the exhibition is held.

On Saturday, October the 11th a meet and greet was organised and everyone was invited to meet Lilith.

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words Birgit Blankers

StillLife © Lilith Love

Selfie Queen Lilith Love is the Dutch Selfie Queen. She can’t even remember when she received that title. It just happened and has been called that ever since.

March 2014 was pronounced the Month of Photography and Dutch broadcasting company AVRO organised a selfie competition. About 3000 people sent in their favourite selfie. Lilith’s work ‘Singer’ was selected as the winner of the Public Award. Her work ‘Mystifier’ became second, selected by a professional jury. The finals were broadcasted on television during the program Opium Night.

Lilith thought; “AHA, now I can make my own pictures to illustrate my stories. With a Kodak compact camera I started making self-portraits using mirrors. When I was a secretary I knew I was creative, but while working as a photographer I discovered that I am very expressive too.”

In 2006 Lilith bought a Nikon.

“Someone gave me a remote shutter release. From there I knew, I could create anything I wanted to.” And that’s what she did. She created countless numbers of self portraits and the public started to appreciate her work.

For her major project; ‘A house is not a home’, she made self-portraits in her own house. But after a few years she wanted to expand her working space. She asked people in Limburg if she could use their homes to take photographs. 70 people reacted and invited her into their homes. Some even gave her the key to their house, to be able to work there while they were not home.

“This blind trust of people in me is so heart warming”, Lilith says.

Lilith Love’s work is inspired by her daily life as a housewife, her catholic background, but also music.

Many of her portraits carry the title of a well known song

It all started when Lilith Love, born as Henriette van Gasteren, quit her job as a secretary (1983-2000), after the birth of her third child she chose to be a full time mum.

“Being a full time mother gave me the time to think about my life and where I wanted it to go.”

In between looking after husband and children Lilith wrote an erotic cookbook. One of the stories has been published. Then someone gave Lilith a second-hand webcam.

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Singer © Lilith Love like: A house is not a home, Take these broken wings, Mrs Boombastic and Smooth operator.

Five of her photographs are exhibited as part of the collection in the Museum Van Bommel Van Dam in Venlo.

One self-portrait is hanging on the wall near the entrance of a hospital in Heerlen. The Limburg’s Museum in Venlo owns and exhibits four self-portraits. Museum Ikob in Eupen, Belgium has one of Lilith’s self-portraits in its collection.

Even though making self portraits is her main objective, Lilith also keeps an open mind to create other works of art.

She organises life master classes where she teaches people how to create their best self-portrait. She shows people her little secrets in working with the camera.

People from all ages, from 3 to 93, participate and they all have a great time. The result of one of these master classes is a group portrait, which includes Lilith. This photograph is hanging on the wall of the Valuas College in Venlo.

In 2011, she was asked to take some photographs of a young woman with Lyme’s disease, named Risja. Lilith says: ‘Risja was a beautiful young woman dreaming to become an artist. But she was paralysed and bedridden, because of Lyme’s disease.”

Lilith was intrigued by Risja and decided to make this their project, two strong women.

Over a period of one and a half year, Lilith and Risja made an impressive and touching documentary about Risja’s daily life. Finally the book: ‘Risja, a story by Lilith’, subtitled: ‘This is bugging me’ was published in Amsterdam: The profit goes to Stichting TeekOnMe, founded by Risja’s parents on Lilith´s instigation. The money will be spent on research on Lyme’s disease (teek is the Dutch word for Tick).

One photo of the documentary was awarded first prize

at the exhibition: ‘Real Life’, at the Dark Room Gallery in Vermont, US.

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Erotic Many of Lilith’s photographs are nude and considered erotic. Her book ‘Lilith’, published in 2014, shows a large selection of her work. 750 copies have been printed and already 450 have been sold. But not everyone appreciates her work. ‘Forgive me, Father, for…’ was refused in Rolduc, Kerkrade, where the priests are educated. Other works of Lilith were refused at an exhibition in Monchengladbach, Germany. Because of all the commotion around the self-portrait, it ended on the front page of daily newspaper Spits. Many of Lilith’s photographs reveal the domestic goddess in her. She spills soup on the floor and spicy noodles all over her body and kitchen bench.

Why this emphasis on food and sensuality? ”But of course,” she says. “Food and sex are the basic elements of life.”

That Lilith Love’s photography contains a lot of nudity didn’t go unnoticed by a local priest in the traditionally Catholic province of Limburg. The erotic pictures were a thorn in the flesh of the priest. Without actually ever having seen any of her works, he wrote an article in the newsletter of the local parish in which he criticised Lilith’s work for being too nude, too suggestive and sometimes even more explicit.

In a reaction to this article Lilith invited the priest to come to the exhibition and have a look at her arts himself.

To her big surprise and admiration he accepted the invitation. They had an interesting conversation, a diner and in the end Lilith challenged the priest to make a selfportrait with her. Again to Lilith’s surprise he accepted the challenge and they created a photograph of the priest washing Lilith’s feet. The photos were made in his church below the 17th century painting of Mary Magdalena drying Jesus’ feet.

“It is great to see how two people from totally different worlds can create something beautiful and are able to communicate”, Lilith says. “That’s the message of this self-portrait.”

The photos are part of Lilith’s latest project which consists of self-portraits, with other people, but Lilith is playing a minor part in the pictures. There is also the photograph of a butcher, carrying Lilith over his shoulder like a piece of meat.

Father Lilith Love has a warm relationship with her father. He admires her work and supports her and occasionally cooperates as a model.

In the ‘Prodigal Daughter’ he acts as a priest. In real life he used to be an acolyte so the clothes and the large rosary are his. At his 90th birthday, Lilith made a portrait of him and herself, resting her head on his knees. The title, ‘Still Life’ is her father’s idea.

Before she pushes the button Lilith does some serious thinking.

“Everything has to be perfect. But I do welcome the unexpected as well”, she says. She only uses Photoshop to optimise her work not to get rid of wrinkles or striae.

“It’s who I am. A human body changes over time as we grow older. I want to show these changes as well.”

Her work is particularly strong in composition and light fall. Sometimes it’s outright naughty, sometimes

touching, but always surprising and genius. Every photo tells its own story. The photograph ‘Banquet’ with a nude Lilith and a pig’s head, reveres to her opinion that although a woman is made of flesh and blood, she is not just a piece of meat. She received many strong and emotional reactions to this self-portrait. Now it is on display at the museum Van Bommel Van Dam in Venlo.

Lilith’s photos show her beauty, but her vulnerability is for everyone to see.

“Expressing myself in the self-portraits is essential”, she says. “I decide what I do and what a photograph should look like. I couldn’t do this if someone else was the photographer.”

“With my body I am telling my own story, otherwise it would be someone else’s story. It’s my diary.”

Lilith shares her life with the public. At the end of her life people will know: “This was Lilith, this was her life.” ‘self-CONSTRUCTIVE’ is open to the public from 26 September to 23 November 2014, at ECI, the Culture Factory in Roermond. Opening times Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11.00am till 7.00pm, Thursday and Friday from 11.00am till 8.00pm

07 5549 3955

Dutch-Australian families

Twee culturen Two cultures in one household She Name: Nathalie Brasseur Age: 43 Nationality: Dutch In Australia since: 1999 Profession: special education teacher

words Rachel Morssink

Love story Two years ago, Nathalie was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer. While undergoing surgery and chemo therapy she got to know another woman in the same situation, Sarah, also a mother, with children at the same primary school. They fought the cancer together and had already planned a big party to celebrate that they had beaten the cancer. Unfortunately, Sarah, mother of four, became ill again and died shortly after at the age of 32. The two families had become very close and Nathalie and Bryan supported each other a lot afterwards. A year later, they fell in love. Since then, they live together in Nathalie’s house and are going to build a new big family house on Bryan’s property over the next year. Because his children have lost their mother recently, Bryan decided to become a stay at home dad for the next few years.

cute Australian accent. It makes me laugh.”

Bryan: “She is very direct. There’s no fluffing around in the way she interacts with other people, it is upfront.

Anglo-Saxon people like to chat a bit before they come to the point: ‘how’s your day’, ‘what do you think of the weather?’ Not with Dutch people, they go doof, doof, doof!

What do you argue about?

Nathalie: “Everyday issues, for example when our house is a mess.”

Bryan: “We are a new household and we’ve chosen to reverse the typical male-female-roles. I take care of the kids and Nathalie leaves for work every morning. That is something we have to get used to.”

Nathalie: “It is a new situation for both of us. He used to go to work and I was a stay-at-home mum before.

It is strange to be on the other side of the argument now. When I come home, I see the same chaos as in the morning and I think: what have you been doing today?

Luckily, I remember how often you do the dishes and clean everything with young kids in the house. It is hard work, especially with six.”

What is typical Dutch/Australian about the other?

Nathalie: “He is very laid back. I’m more organised. He often says: ‘Don’t worry, we can do that later’. That’s sometimes difficult as I want to get things done, but he teaches me to be more relaxed as well. And he has a very 46

op één kussen…

He Name: Bryan Coleman Age: 41 Nationality: Australian (born in South Africa, came here when he was seven) Profession: stay at home dad, works sometimes with disabled adults and wants to set up his own graphic design business

Nathalie & Bryan Relationship since: one year How they’ve met: neighbourhood/school Live in: Bonbeach, Victoria Spoken language at home: English All together six children: Nathalie is the mother of Nicholas (8, behind the couch wearing a blue T-shirt) and Joshua (7, on the left wearing a red jumper); Bryan is the father of Aden (5, next to Joshua), Isla (2, on Bryan’s lap, Talia (4, on Nathalie’s lap and Isobel (7, far right)

What has surprised you most about the culture of the other?

Nathalie: “Not much. I’ve lived in Australia for almost fifteen years now and we were close friends before we fell in love one year ago. We have a lot in common, for example the fact that we laugh about stupid practical jokes. Very important in our situation.”

Bryan: “We both had to adjust to a new relationship.

Combining our two families, we had to find the middle ground. We have similar value systems, so we’ve found the happy in-between.”

We try to keep the balance and focus on the good stuff instead of the negative.

Nathalie: In summer, we go camping every weekend.

Our car fits eight people and we like to fool other people a little bit upon arrival. One child climbs out of the car, then number two, three, four, five. You see people think: o my god, five children! And then we take out the baby, number six. You can see the surprise in their eyes. Then they start calculating and asking questions. “Are there any twins?” “No.” “How much age difference is there?”

“Eighteen months between every two children, except for a massive two years between the youngest two,” we reply. People are even more surprised when they hear that I work and that Bryan takes care of the children. We just laugh and walk away.

What is it like, to raise such a big family?

Nathalie: It is very busy and ‘gezellig’. For me it was a big change to have girls in the house and to raise very young children again. All of a sudden, I’m back to changing diapers. For the children, everything is fine. They play together, share bedrooms, they are doing great.

Bryan: We are managing so far, but of course it is not always easy with six young children. We have our difficulties as well. There can be a lot of noise and shouting in the house, for example, but we are experienced enough to be realistic in our expectations.

Do you eat Dutch or Australian dishes?

Nathalie: “Australian. Bryan cooks most of the time: barbecue, rice and chicken, spaghetti bolognese or potatoes, meat and vegetables. I’m not a good cook, so I take care of baths and pyjamas, but every now and then I make a ‘stamppotje’ or ‘erwtensoep’ and everyone likes it.”

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Do you raise your children in a Dutch or Australian manner?

Bryan: “More Australian. They grow up in a completely Australian environment. For example, at school, they learn about Australian history, folklore and culture.”

Nathalie: “We don’t have different opinions about upbringing. We are quite strict, which is probably inevitable with six children. There’s rhythm and discipline in our household, although the weekends are more relaxed. We don’t differentiate between my or Bryan’s children, we correct each other’s kids and everyone has accepted that.

Who is always right?

Bryan: “Hahaha, that’s a loaded question. But at the end of the day, I’d have to say: Nathalie.”

Nathalie: “Of course, that’s me. Even if I’m not right, I am.

Haha.”

How do you celebrate birthdays and holidays?

Nathalie: “That’s a mix of Dutch and Australian traditions.”

Bryan: “I was surprised by the Dutch birthday decorations [slingers] you put up the night before. I’d never seen that before, it’s quite special.”

Nathalie: “The cakes are very Australian, big and with a

special theme. The birthday parties we organise for the kids are a mix: indoor playing, roller-skating or trampoline jumping, but we also play Dutch games at home.

Especially the ‘sjoelbak’ is very popular.”

Bryan: “My kids didn’t know about Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet. The first time we went to a celebration, they thought: what’s going on?”

Nathalie: “My boys explained it to his children. Initially, they were like: whatever, but of course they were happy with the ‘pepernoten’, ‘speculaas’ and the extra presents.

In return, we’ve adopted their celebration of Halloween.”

And what about Christmas and Easter?

Nathalie: In Australia, people celebrate Christmas during the day. You get together for lunch and everyone receives his presents already in the morning. I was used to dressing up nicely and have a fancy diner at night. With Easter, our children get a big chocolate egg from their grandparents. I like to bring in the Dutch tradition and decorate eggs with the children.

What is the strangest habit of the other culture?

Nathalie: “Australians are always late. If a diner meeting is at 7 pm, Dutch people arrive on time, but Aussies come in long after that. I don’t like coming late: so if we have to leave at 2.30, I tell Bryan now that we have to leave at 2.

Even if we leave half an hour ‘late’, we’ll still be on time.

Bryan: “Strangest habit? That people like salty liquorice. I’ve tried it 3000 times and I still don’t like it.”

Nathalie: “The funny thing is that there are also some similarities between our cultures, because Bryan’s family came from South Africa. His mum likes the salty liquorice too. And she told me I’m his first girlfriend who enjoys her rollmops. It’s a tradition the Dutch brought to South Africa many years ago.”

What habits have you taken on from the other?

Nathalie: “I’ve become more relaxed and I’ve taken on some words and of course the accent.”

Bryan: “I say ‘goed, goed’ now and I might have become a bit more direct as well. Nathalie has become more Australian than I have become Dutch.

She’s almost an Aussie, but I hope she will always keep her Dutch style.”

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Jan en Kaspar Luiken: Het Menselyk Bedryf

the mountain miner

de mijnwerker Bergwerkers zijn mensen die in de bergen delven naar allerlei grondstoffen, niet alleen ijzer maar ook goud, zilver en koper. Hier zien we zo’n mijnwerker naast zijn kruiwagen. Hij heeft zijn houweel en een paar losse brokjes opzij gelegd en nu geniet hij op zijn eentje van de lunchpauze. Geen vetpot.

Met zijn mes rechtsonder heeft hij zojuist al een flink stuk vloerbrood afgesneden en hij wil net de eerste hap nemen.

Zijn broek is versteld. Hij draagt geen helm maar een opgevulde muts en heeft spijkers onder zijn schoenen als een bergbeklimmer. Aan zijn gezicht te zien is hij dit keer niet gelukkig geweest. Zijn voornaamste werktuig, een pikhouweel staat naast hem. Op de achtergrond draaien enkele mensen aan en reusachtige katrol, die tussen zware staanders draait. Kennelijk dient die als lift voor mijnwerkers en delfstoffen. Er omheen zijn verschillende mijnwerkers met kruiwagens bezig met vage werkzaamheden. Het is duidelijk dat de stadsmens Luyken niet veel weet van mijnwerkers en hun bedrijf. Zelfs de bergen zijn fantasierijk getekend. De bomen groeien er boven de gletsjer – of is het een waterval?

- waarop drie figuurtjes wandelen. De grot wordt kennelijk niet gebruikt voor mijnbouw.

Luyken is hier kennelijk niet op z’n gemak. Hij is zelf waarschijnlijk nooit in de bergen geweest. En een mijnwerker zal hij ook niet vaak ontmoet hebben. Maar hij heeft zijn fantasie zo goed mogelijk laten werken en een aannemelijk beeld geschetst van hoe zo’n mijnwerker zou kunnen zijn.

Toch zien we vreemde dingen. Waarom zijn de wielen van de loodzware kruiwagen zo ongelijk? En die reusachtige katrol, hoe diep gaat de schacht wel niet loodrecht de grond in? En wat gebeurt er als het regent?

Gelukkig hoeft Luyken deze vragen niet te beantwoorden.

Hij hoeft alleen maar zijn vers te illustreren. En wij begrijpen hem en glimlachen bij dit fantasievolle en aandoenlijke plaatje.

Hoe hoog ook de waarde: Het blijft stof der aarde.

Mountain miners are people who delve for all kinds of minerals, not just iron, but also gold, silver and copper.

Here we see a miner next to a wheelbarrow. He put aside his pickaxe and a few loose fragments and now he enjoys his lunchbreak by himself. It is not much, though. Using his knife, in the right bottom corner he just cut off a huge piece of the loaf of bread and he is about to take his first bite. His pants have been mended.

He is not wearing a helmet, but a stuffed beanie and has spikes under his shoes, like a mountain climber. His facial expression indicates that he did not have any luck today. His main tool, his pickaxe lies next to him. In the background some people turn a huge winch, turning between heavy supports. Obviously it serves as a lift for miners and minerals. Around it different miners with wheelbarrows are doing some vague activities. It is clear that city-slicker Luyken does not know much about miners and their business. Even the mountains have been drawn highly inventively. The trees grow above the glacier – or is it a waterfall? – on which three figures are walking. The cave is obviously not used for mining.

Evidently Luyken is not very comfortable here. He probably has never been to the mountains. And he will not have met many miners either. But he used his imagination very well indeed and sketched a plausible image of the way a miner would have looked like. Still, we see strange things. Why are the wheels of the very heavy wheelbarrow different in size? And that gigantic winch, how deep does the shaft go straight down into the ground? And what happens when it rains?

Fortunately Luyken does not have to answer these questions. He only has to illustrate his poem. And we do understand him and smile by this inventive and touching image.

No matter what it’s worth, It’s only dust of Earth

Hoe diep ‘t ook ligt, verdekt voor de ogen, Steeds verder zoekt de mens met vlijt: Zou elk weldenkend mens niet pogen In deze Berg van Zichtbaarheid Te graven naar ‘t Onzichtbaar Wezen; Écht Goud en Zilver, onvolprezen?

However deep it’s hidden from the eye, Man tries to dig persistently.

But would it not be wise to try And mine Mount Visibility For the Invisible Being, raise Real Gold and Silver beyond Praise.

49

Frans Hertoghs

Als u niet in Nieuw-Zeeland woont, hebt u waarschijnlijk nog nooit van de tui gehoord. En misschien ook niet van tempereren. Dan kan ik u nu misschien uit (en in?) de droom helpen.

Laten we met de tui beginnen. Hij wordt ook wel domineesvogel genoemd. Hij lijkt wel wat op een merel maar zijn stemmige zwart vertoont bij nader inzien allerlei deftig gedekte kleuren en op zijn keel draagt hij twee hagelwitte befjes als een soort pluizige kerstballetjes. En als hij vliegt zie je nog meer hagelwitte plekken tevoorschijn komen van onder zijn pluimage. Over deze heel bijzondere hongingeter kunt u gemakkelijk van alles vinden op het internet. Maar ik wil het hebben over iets heel bijzonders.

De tui lijkt altijd wel goede zin te hebben want hij fluit er eindeloos op los. Nou ja, fluiten, hij maakt tussen de prachtige zuivere tonen door ook allerlei rare geluiden, zoals een soort gesnot, geknars of geschraap, kleine kuchjes en misschien nog wel meer wat wij niet kunnen of mogen horen, want wij horen er ook allerlei onverklaarbare pauzes in.

Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, honingeter, imiterende zangvogel met een groot bereik © Tony Wills

kiwikorrels

De best getempereerde vogel ter wereld zomaar in de tuin

Het aardige is dat elke tui zijn eigen hoogstpersoonlijke lied zingt. Ergens in zijn jeugd pikt hij allerlei tonen op en die combineert hij tot een eigen repertoire. De ouders en andere tui’s spelen daarbij een grote rol. Ik ken een paar tui’s die precies dezelfde begintonen hebben en die daarna ieder hun eigen vervolg zingen.

Misschien gebruikt hij ook andere bronnen dan vogelgeluiden. Een paar jaar geleden was er een die zong de eerste vier tonen van Are you lonesome tonight? En het laatste jaar zijn er niet minder dan twee die Zie ginds komt de stoomboot zingen. De ene stopt al na “komt”, dat zijn dus maar drie tonen. Maar de andere die hier recht tegenover woont en die op nog geen twee meter afstand zijn hoogste lied blijft zingen, die zingt tot en met “de stoom-”! Net als papegaaien kunnen ze zelfs mensenspraak nadoen. Het verhaal gaat dat ze door de inheemse Māori getraind werden om berichten door te geven.

Het allergekste is dat die tonen precies kloppen met de toonladder. Ze zijn getempereerd. Tempereren – zegt het WNT – is: “in een zodanige stemming brengen, dat de onvermijdelijke onzuiverheden van de akoestisch zuivere

picture by J. G. Keulemans, in W.L. Buller’s Buller, W. L. A History of the Birds of New Zealand. 2nd ed. (London, 1888)

50

toonverhoudingen door een bepaalde verdeling minder goed hoorbaar zijn.” Nou ja, gewoon wat de pianostemmer doet. Natuurlijke tonen zijn onderling altijd een beetje vals. Een lage toon klinkt twee octaven hoger nét iets te hoog. Vier octaven verderop is het zelfs tenenkrommend vals. Een pianostemmer stemt alle tonen zó dat ook de verste noot op de piano harmonieert met de corresponderende noten op andere plaatsen. Niet iedereen kan dat. Daarom is hij ook zo duur.

Vogels zingen dan ook altijd een beetje vals. Een koekoek zingt nooit een zuivere terts. Het gezang van vogels kun je op de piano niet nadoen. Als amateur musicus heeft mij dat altijd getroffen. Maar hier vind je ineens en vogel die zuiver zingt.

Ik heb honderden keren geprobeerd om het vervolg “uit Spanje weer aan” toe te voegen. En dan zie ik hem wel luisteren en zijn hoofd schudden. “Dat doe je niet goed, jongen!” zie je hem denken. En dat doet hij het nog een keertje voor, gelardeerd met kuchjes en hikjes, met schraapjes en piepjes. Als een oude piano die verplaatst wordt. En dan vliegt hij ineens op om een brutale bell bird weg te jagen die het lef heeft om in zijn struik plaats te nemen.

Andere vogels in de wereld zingen ook mooi. Maar als je niet van vals zingen houdt, kom dan maar eens luisteren.

© Tony Wills

www.tnbtulips.com.au

Rijksmuseum

opens revamped Philips Wing After ten years of rebuilding, renovation and restoration, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam opened its doors again on 13 April 2013. While closed, top pieces from the museum’s collection could be viewed in its southwestern annex, the Philips Wing. On 18 March 2013, this building was closed to be overhauled. From 1 November 2014, the revamped Philips Wing is open to the public. words Ton van Rooij Thirteen galleries plus brasserie The Philips Wing, built between 1904 and 1916, was renovated by Spanish architects Cruz y Ortiz, who were commissioned by the Rijksgebouwendienst (Government Buildings Agency), the owner of the Rijksmuseum’s building.

The wing boasts thirteen galleries, all meant for temporary exhibitions, including a separate gallery for changing photography exhibitions.

It also includes a brasserie with a sun terrace, accommodating 135 guests, chefs changing with the seasons, like guest curators.

The Philips Wing is on the spot where once was a garden filled with fragments of buildings which the Rijksmuseum’s architect, Pierre Cuypers, thought were important to keep for its architectural value. Some of these fragments became part of the Philips Wing, but due to earlier renovations disappeared under ceilings and behind partition walls.

Now they have ‘resurfaced’ again, such as the Rotterdam staircase and the water gate of Gorinchem. Another, very striking piece is the Breda facade in the Atrium which used to belong to the Nassau stables of the Castle of Breda. “The doors in this facade gave access to the gardener’s house,” says Muriel Huisman, architect with Cruz y Ortiz. “We fused old and new architectural styles in such a way that it sometimes is hard to tell what’s new and what’s old. This made us feel connected to Pierre Cuypers, as he, in his way, liked merging different styles too.”

About the look the galleries will get, Wim Pijbes, director of the Rijksmuseum, says: “The walls are painted in a colour called Sensation White, making them warm, fresh and modern. What completely changed are seven former windows that now have become doors.”

Upcoming exhibitions in Philips Wing The exhibition the Rijksmuseum kicks off with in the Philips Wing is Modern Times – Photography 52

giant chess pieces. Another addition is an iconic piece of the Nieuwe Zakelijkheid (New Objectivity): the 1931-‘32 telephone booth by Brinkman & Van der Vlugt.

Since the reopening, the Rijksmuseum has been overrun with visitors. “According to the public, we’re on the right track,” Pijbes states. “After the opening of the Philips Wing, it will become even more crowded and even more cosy in Amsterdam, I predict.”

photos, starting previous page: Wim Pijbes, director of the Rijksmuseum, during a press preview in the Philips Wing on 27 May 2014 (Photo Ton van Rooij); An artist’s impression of the Atrium in the Philips Wing. Seen at left is the Breda wall (image Cruz y Ortiz); The Woman with the Arrow (1661), shown in the exhibition Late Rembrandt, is an etching based on a life study of a model.

On the left, a face appears. Perhaps the picture is meant to show Venus, as she steals the last arrow of the love god Cupid, although the subject has also been interpreted as Cleopatra with her lover (Photo: Rijksmuseum).

Website Rijksmuseum www.rijksmuseum.nl On 1 October 2014 the Rijksmuseum welcomed its 4,000,000th visitor since the re-opening in April 2013.

The Philips Wing could receive an extra 1,000,000 visitors per year.

in the 20th Century, which can be visited until 18 January 2015. For the first time, the Rijksmuseum’s collection of 20th century photography will be presented as a large-scale exhibition. It comprises of 400 photographs, including works by Man Ray, László Moholy-Nagy and Helen Levitt.

Also never presented before by the museum is a major retrospective of Rembrandt’s later work, a period in which the painter experimented with graphic and painting techniques. Late Rembrandt, running from 12 February to 17 May 2015, gives a comprehensive overview of the master’s paintings and drawings from around 1652 until his death in 1669. The paintings he produced during these years are among his most celebrated and continue to define the lasting influence of the painter on modern audiences.

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‘Green lung’ completed as well The opening of the final section of the new garden around the Philips Wing marked the completion of Rijksmuseum’s ‘green lung’. It now has a small 18thcentury pavilion, with in front of it a black-and-white tiled floor, where, at set times, visitors can play chess with

F 03 9782 0142 E info@dutchcare.com.au www.dutchcare.com.au Wij staan ook uitgebreid op www.myagedcare.com.au Retirement Living Home Care Residential Care WindMeals

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in the Netherlands What’s up in the Netherlands? October is the Month of History. The Netherlands don’t just have a written history, but also numerous monuments and ten places on the UNESCO list of World Heritage. The Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie has been nominated for this prestigious list. Reason to highlight the Dutch monuments with a World Heritage status. words Erik Feenstra UNESCO World Heritage List Since 1972, 162 countries have signed the agreement of the World Heritage, making the list the most successful UNESCO treaty ever. The list contains cultural sites, nature areas and mixed sites. Ten monuments and landscapes in the Netherlands are on the list, and one ‘in the waiting room’.

Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie The Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie is a defence system, built in 1814, about 85km long and 2 – 4km wide, with fortifications, fortress cities, hiding places, open shooting fields and an ingenious hydraulic engineering system with canals and locks. The area between the Biesbosch and Muiden could be flooded, to protect Holland against the advancing enemy. In the 17th century Alkmaar and Leiden could be freed from the Spanish conquerors, by flooding the area around the cities. The floodwaters chased the Spanish troops away. The Waterlinie protected the wealthy Holland against invaders, but was never used as such. It is the largest historical monument in the Netherlands, a tourist attraction with walking and cycling trails. In 2018 it might gain World Heritage status.

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Schokland The former island Schokland, now a part of the Noordoostpolder, is the only archaeological World Heritage monument in the Netherlands (since 1995).

The island was part of the mainland till the Middle-Ages.

Archaeological finds date from the last Ice Age till the late Middle-Ages.

Around 1450 a large part of the moorland became isolated by what now is called IJsselmeer.

Later the island was named Schokland.

During the following centuries the isle became smaller and smaller. In 1859 King Willem III ordered to evacuate the remaining inhabitants. In 1942 Schokland became part of the mainland again: the

Noordoostpolder: just a 4 kilometres long elevated part in the polder landscape.

Stelling van Amsterdam Like the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, Amsterdam was protected by a similar defence system, the Stelling van Amsterdam, 145 kilometres long with 45 fortifications was a defence ring around de capital, constructed between 1883 and 1920. Within 48 hours the area could be flooded, but the Stelling has never been used for military purposes. Already at the time of construction, the airplanes made the defending system useless.

However, the fortifications and infrastructure were kept intact, a unique monument of defending and hydraulic technology. It received the World Heritage status in 1996.

Molens van Kinderdijk One year later, in 1997, a more peaceful example of how the Dutch dealt with water the 19 windmills in Kinderdijk, close to Rotterdam. It probably is the ultimate Dutch symbol on the UNESCO list. The moor area of Alblasserwaard has been cultivated since the 11th century, meaning: discharging superfluous water to the surrounding rivers. The Dutch dug thousands of ditches, but the moor soil steadily subsided, another solution had to be found, using the power of wind. Since the Middle-Ages windmills pump water from low areas into the higher rivers. Between 1738 and 1740, 16 mills were built. In 1868 steam and electric pumping-engines took over, but the mills of Kinderdijk still are functional.

Photo previous page: Schokland (Gouwenaar); left: original drawing

by Leeghwater (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel erfgoed; below: Van Nellefabriek, Rotterdam (RCE Gerard Dekker); nex page: Handelskade, Willemstad, Curaçao (Rodry 1)

The windmills, waterways and boezems (canals around polders) represent the way our ancestors conquered water.

Ir. D.E. Woudagemaal In 1998 the Woudagemaal in Lemmer (Friesland) received World Heritage status. It is the biggest steam pumping-engine ever built in the world. Together with another one, it had to end the steadily growing problem of superfluous water in the province of Friesland. Chief engineer D.J. Wouda designed the building, opened by Queen Wilhelmina in 1920. In 1967 a second one – an electric one – was built near Stavoren. The pumpingengine of Lemmer is an outstanding example of 20th century industrial technique and architecture.

De Beemster Between 1608 and 1612 the Beemster was drained,the first polder in Noord-Holland. In 1999 it was placed on the UNESCO list. The Beemster is not just another example of Dutch waterworks, but also the first example of how people reclaimed land. Jan Adriaenszoon Leeghwater applied the ideals of the Dutch Renaissance and classical planning principles of an ancient Roman city, with a

central crossing point, rectangle parcels and roads square intersections. Buildings and farmland were part of the total design as well. The example has been copied often, not just in other polders in the Netherlands: the Dutch took this idea to many countries. In a way, the build of New York (in the 17th century the Dutch colony New Amsterdam) was based on the same design, as Manhattan’s street pattern still shows.

Rietveld Schröderhuis In 2000 the Rietveld Schröderhuis in the city of Utrecht was placed on the prestigious list: an apartment built in 1924, commissioned by Truus Schröder-Schräder (18891985), designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888-1964).

He was one of the leading figures of De Stijl, an abstract art movement, started in 1917. This apartment is the only example that follows the principles of De Stijl: horizontal and vertical levels, lines and windows and apart from white and black, the primary colours red, yellow and blue were used. Rietveld and Schröder designed all the furniture, also following the principles of De Stijl. The apartment is a significant example of modern architecture and is now a museum.

Waddenzee The Waddenzee, between the North Sea, the north shore of the Netherlands and Germany, to west Denmark, is a protected and important ecological area. Since 2009 the Waddenzee (except the Danish part) has the status of World Heritage.

The Danish part received the status in 2014.

Amsterdamse Grachtengordel The World famous Grachtengordel in Amsterdam is World Heritage listed since 2010. The half circle of four canals around the Medieval inner city (Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht) with adjoining grachtenpanden are witnesses of the

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Golden Age, the 17th century, when Amsterdam was the most important city in the World. It is ‘a masterpiece of human genius’, ‘represents important values of human dignity’ and ‘is an outstanding example of significant steps in human history’: three reasons to become World Heritage listed.

the building accommodates media and design businesses, conferences and events.

Willemstad Curaçao Not within the Netherlands, but former part of the Kingdom, the historical centre of Willemstad on the isle Curaçao has World Heritage status since 1997. It is an example of Dutch colonial history, 350 years old.

Van Nellefabriek Rotterdam The former Van Nellefabriek in Rotterdam is listed since 2014. The factory is an outstanding example of ‘het nieuwe bouwen’ (new building), built between 1927 and 1930. It was a coffee, tea and tobacco factory. Nowadays

Please go to www.eropuit.blog.nl and, if interested in main news (in Dutch), www.wereldnieuws.blog.nl. Do you have any questions or comments about one of these sites: you are most welcome to react under ‘plaats reactie’).

3ZZZ, Dutch radio is on-air every Monday from 4 – 5 pm, and every Friday from 8 – 9 am.

Please tune into 92.3 fm.

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Blikken of Blozen Als de meester in de klas een schuldige zocht, dan begon ik altijd meteen diep te blozen. Ik kreeg een hoogrode kleur. En wie was er dan de klos?

Jawel, ik. Omdat ik bloosde.

TaalsTaaltje door Frans Hertoghs Blozen gaat vanzelf. Je kunt het niet sturen en niet stoppen. De zichtbare delen van je gezicht krijgen extra bloed. Door de verwijding van de bloedvaten word je daar niet alleen rood maar ook flink warm. Een kop als vuur krijg je dan. Of als een vuurtoren. Vooral aan de wangen kun je het zien. Maar je krijgt er soms ook rode oortjes van.

Wist u dat niet alle mensen blozen? Je ziet het alleen maar bij blanke mensen. Alleen bleekgezichten vertonen hun emoties onbedoeld op de wangen.

Zo zijn ze de klos, door blikken en blozen.

photo by Valerie Hinojosa

Die extra bloedtoevoer ontstaat door heftige gevoelens.

Zonder dat je dat wilt, kleuren die je gezicht, het uithangbord van je communicatie.

Het is een signaal als een stoplicht.

Maar het is wel een heel verwarrend signaal. Achter de blos schuilen namelijk allerlei tegenstrijdige gevoelens. Ik kreeg het schaamrood op de kaken, maar blozen kun je ook van opwinding, woede of verlegenheid. Zelfs ‘van weelde én ootmoed én lieflijke vreugd’ - zoals in het kerstlied.

Door stevig alcoholgebruik verwijden de bloedvaten zich ook, waardoor drinkers vaak een hoogrode kleur krijgen.

Rood aanlopen. Bij echte alcoholisten gaat de neus vaak blijvend blozen. Zo rood als een pioen. Of als een biet. En dan bedoelen we natuurlijk niet de suikerbiet, maar rode bietjes die inderdaad ongelooflijk rood zijn.

Zonder blikken of blozen is dus: zonder gevoelens te tonen. Blikken betekent hier niet ‘kijken, rondblikken’. Het is een verkorting van bleken of verbleken. Verbleken is het omgekeerde van blozen. Spontaan opkomende bleekheid dus. Verbleken is vaak een teken van angst of woede.

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the closest thing to flying

words and photos Jana van der Schoot

I bend my knees and press my ankles into the backs of my boots; my shins lean heavily into the front of them. I point my body down towards the bottom of the hill and then, without even trying, I am away. Snowflakes hit my face and goggles. The wind finds its way through my neck warmer... I plant a pole and turn. Again and again I turn, zigzagging until I am at the bottom of the run.

My quads burn and I am out of breath, but for those brief minutes I was as close to flying as I will ever be. I don’t spend long to recover, because I want more of this.

Is it the freedom or the sense of achievement or fear conquered? I don’t know. But it is addictive, and I thirst for more.

In the lift, I chat to Bill the ski patroller who tells me about skiing in India. Later - or earlier I can’t remember - there is a guy who went heli-skiing in Canada. Then there is the chef who became a self-proclaimed ‘powder snob’ in Japan and the American lady who runs Hotham Women’s Week. “Women are not just small men,” Heidi Ettlinger says, “so we benefit from coaching that reflects these differences along with equipment that is better suited for our physiology.”

On the way up, I choose which run I will ski next. This time I pick my favourite, Twilight Zone. I push off the seat and cruise to the top. Almost unexpectedly, I plant my pole, turn and I am facing down again. Straight down the slope I fly. “This run is like Hollywood,” one of my instructors once said, because you pass straight under the ski lift, “and everyone is watching.”

but me. I stare up at the people in the lift, hearing their distance chatter, someone yells to another skier, who looks up and waves.

The snow charts tell me there hasn’t been snow like this since the beginning of the century. The locals tell me it’s nothing compared to what they had in the 1980s. “We could ski down here in Harrietville,” says Regina Vissers, showing me a photo of a younger self in cross-country skis in the village. Regina was born and raised in Australia.

Her parents are Dutch and her three older siblings were born in the Netherlands before they moved to Australia in the 1950s just like so many.

When you drive about five hours to the north of Melbourne on the Hume highway, you pass the Big Ned Kelly in Glenrowan before you turn onto the Great Alpine Road. This is the highest year round accessible bitumen road in Australia and it runs for about 308km from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale. At its highest point it reaches 1,825 metres, but the mountains reach their highest point within the Mt. Hotham ski resort at 1,861 meters.

That is where I find myself.

Harrietville is the last stop before you start climbing up to Mt. Hotham. The small town is named after one of the few white women in the area in 1861, Harriet Tisdale.

With a population of just under 300, it has two pubs, plenty of accommodation, a few cafes and a General Store.

In the early 1970s, John Bakkum and Joop Castricum bought the General Store in Harrietville. They came to the area to find a lucrative property and the only thing their wives Betty and Mary had told them not to do was “to

I don’t notice it though until I stop halfway down to catch my breath. The cold and the wind make you forget everything around you. It is like there is no one here 58

insert previous page: Jana; main photo the Arlberg on Mt Hotham; this page: the general store in Harrietville; left: Regina Visser, langlaufing in Harrietville in 1980 (photo supplied by Regina); right: Joop's Jett (named after Joop Castricum) in Harrietville,at the Tronoh Dredge Hole (a very deep manmade lake)

buy a shop or General Store”. So they did exactly that. It’s probably a good thing the business fared well.

All four are Dutch, but they never met in their country of birth. John came to welcome the Scholten-sisters and their family when they arrived in Australia by boat in the 1950s, because his aunt and uncle were their neighbours in the Netherlands. This was the first time John met his wife-to-be, because the Bakkums had left the Netherlands a decade or so earlier.

They settled in Harrietville, where they bought land on which they built the CasBak flats. They proceeded to purchase the land on which they built the Feathertop Chalet and set up a building company called CasBak. In the 1980s, they built the Arlberg - the biggest building on Mt. Hotham to date. It’s red and you can’t miss it, and when you cross the road you can almost ski straight down to the Blue Ribbon or Village lift. The families’ current houses stand prominently in the middle of Harrietville, across the street from where it all begun, the General Store.

I venture out further away from Hotham’s village towards the Orchard ski area. It is quieter here, less people, more slopes. The runs are shorter, but so are the trips up in the lift. I follow the cat track to the top of Spargos.

Bill Spargo was the manager of Mt. Hotham’s first chalet in the 1920’s while he was still working for road patrol. Hotham Heights Chalet was a very popular stop over for skiers and Bill was well-liked. The chalet could accommodate 20 people, and unfortunately burned down during the 1939 bushfires. Bill Spargo became a fulltime prospector after the fires and discovered a reef two years later.

There is a warning at the top of the run: “This is a no fall zone! Out of control falls could lead to serious injury.”

Because the run ends in a creek and you have to traverse across the side of the hill for a little while until you get to a straight cat walk and skate your way back to the lift. I feel confident though, and excited. I am sure I can do it, but adrenaline runs through my veins anyway as I point my skis downhill. The run is smooth and the snow powdery. My skis meet no resistance. The wind, the fall line, the control and the pure whiteness around me, I am really alone here but could never be lonely.

I fly without wings.

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Van Dale’s jubilee celebrated with show and symposium Recently, two events were held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the dictionary de Dikke Van Dale (the Thick Van Dale): the theatre show Hotel Van Dale on 28 August in The Hague and the symposium Woorden in Beweging (Words in Motion) on 10 September in Antwerp.

Swirling mix of theatre, music and infotainment Prior to Hotel Van Dale, Maurice Kneppers, publishing director at Van Dale Uitgevers, said that one million people a month use Van Dale Online.

“They not only ask us for advice, they also regularly give some back to us. And we’re happy to hear from them, for it goes to show that our language lives, connects and stimulates creativity.”

In the – greatly amusing – play, actor Arjan Ederveen portrayed a bellboy who’s a descendant of dictionary maker Johan Hendrik van Dale. He welcomed around 20 language-loving, mainly wellknown hotel guests.

At one point, stand-up comedian Snijders asked what a ‘kaboutertendens’ (gnome tendency) is. It’s one of the neologisms – new words – he and Fedor van Elwijk devised for their dictionary De Alfabeter – 1000 nieuwe woorden die het niet gaan redden (The Alphabeter – 1000 new words that are not going to make it). The answer was hilarious: “The trend that someone imperceptibly gets ever more small people in his circle of friends.”

Linguist and writer Wim Daniëls humorously spoke about the presence of ‘dik(ke)’ (thick, fat) and ‘dun(ne)’ (thin) in Van Dale. He mentioned something remarkable: “In de Dikke Van Dale, there’s no listing of de Dikke Van Dale itself.” He also paid attention to the jubilee book he compiled, Verhalen over taal – 150 jaar Van Dale (Stories about language – 150 years of Van Dale). This truly is an intriguing collection of the most diverse contributions, three of which Daniëls highlighted on stage.

Kneppers already said it: the Dutch language lives. But what this swirling mix of theatre, music and infotainment proved is that it can downright rock!

Symposium with witty touch During Woorden in Beweging, lexicographer Vivien Waszink explored neologisms. The meaning of words can change over time, she explained. An example she gave of that was ‘mieters’ and showed the cover of Wim Daniëls’ book Mieters! (2012), which is about words that were new in or very defining for the ‘50s. Waszink: “This word, introduced in the 4th edition of Van Dale, in 1898, at first meant something highly negative: cursed. But in the ‘50s, it became popular in the meaning of fabulous, wonderful.”

The Flemish editor-in-chief of de Dikke Van Dale, Ruud Hendrickx, delivered an entertaining column about southern Dutch and Flemish words in Van Dale. “Recently, the Belgian ‘frietje’ [a portion of fries] finally got the

Four of the cast members of Hotel Van Dale. from left to right radio DJ Frits Spits, singer Ellen ten Damme, actor Arjan Ederveen and poet/writer Ellen Deckwitz. (Photo: Sander Stoepker)

Woorden in beweging started with a speech by Martin Everaert, linguistics professor at the University College Utrecht and acting director of co-organiser INL (Instituut voor Nederlandse Lexicologie, Institute for Dutch Lexicology). (Photo: INL)

same treatment in Van Dale as ‘patatje’ [a synonym for ‘frietje’]. We already had ‘friet’, but ‘frietje’, a cone of fries you get at a snack bar, wasn’t in it yet.”

An enormously high fun factor had the lecture by Irishborn Rosemary Orr, who moved to Holland sixteen years ago and teaches linguistics and cognitive sciences at the University College Utrecht. In what at times felt as a razor sharp stand-up comedy show, she discussed the unravelling of the Dutch lexical spaghetti for non-native speakers. For most of these people, she stressed, Dutch words like ‘erg’ (very) and ‘bruin’ (brown) are incredibly hard to pronounce. When coming to the term ‘slappe lach’ (uncontrollable laughter), she observed: “The Irish laugh a lot more than the Dutch. In the Netherlands, I think you have a name for this kind of laughter because you don’t do this often.” And then… something arose.

Laughter! words Ton van Rooij For more info, visit www.vandale.nl, www.inl.nl and www.wimdaniels.nl.

Hotel Van Dale can be watched at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gICiD5C6r-E

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UPDATE MH-17 Blue helmets not going to site of MH-17 The Netherlands, Australia and Malaysia agree not to request the United Nations to send military forces to the site of the crash of the MH-17 near Charkov in Eastern Ukraine. The prime ministers of the three countries had a shadow meeting during the UN meeting in New York, in the last week of September. words and photos Birgit Blankers Earlier Malaysia wanted UN militaries to enforce safety at the MH-17 disaster site in the Ukraine, to allow experts to continue their research. Malaysian minister of transport Liow Tiong Lai blames the Ukrainian government for not meeting their promises to make and keep the area of the disaster accessible to experts.

At the moment the situation in the area of the disaster is considered too dangerous for researchers to do their job.

Again some experts have left the place and returned to the Netherlands.

The rapport of the Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid (OVV), investigation of safety, about the disaster of flight MH-17 above the Ukraine, has been discussed at the UN Security Council. Russia requested this meeting.

The preliminary rapport of the first findings states that the airplane of Malaysia Airlines has been pierced by a large number of objects that hit the airplane in high speed. The rapport did not mention a rocket as assumed by many. A final report is expected next year.

According to Russian minister of foreign affairs Sergej Lavrov the investigators did work too sluggish and too

relaxed.

Lavrov says; “No one demanded that the experts could resume their job on the accident site. No one tried to get there to gather parts of the airplane and investigate what the plane looked like.”

“Besides”, Lavrov states. “The rapport does not give answers to questions by the Russian minister of defense.”

Russian rumors suggest that there was a Ukrainian fighter close to the Boeing at the time of the accident.

By now 211 victims of the disaster of the MH17 have been identified, according to the Dutch ministry of security and justice.

Relatives have been notified.

The relatives will receive a sum of US$50,000 prior to the final compensation. Earlier they received US$5,000 as a goodwill gesture, for their initial expenses.

Dutch Clocks in Oz • Zaanse, Sallanders, Schippertjes, Frisian Tail Clocks • and a variety of other clocks from Holland located in Springwood, Qld, 4127

visit by appointment only ring Rob Schmidt on 0432 832 800 www.dutchclocksinoz.com.au 61

cycling and sailing holidays with

Hat Tours

Cycling is fun! For over two decades now the Dutch tour operator HAT Tours in Haarlem organizes Cycling & Sailing Holidays in Holland and abroad. The best way to get to know a country or region is by bike!

“Bike and Barge is a fabulous concept and a fantastic way to see the countryside and meet local people.”

Guided Cycling & Sailing Holidays in Holland Stay: During each Cycling & Sailing Holiday you’ll be staying and eating aboard a sailing hotel barge. This ship travels from port to port and will transport your luggage, meaning you’ll have a ‘light’ cycle tour! All ships are provided with double cabins with private facilities, an attractive dining room, sundeck and - on some ships - a separate bar.

Fellow travellers: During these small-scale tours you’ll be with 18-24 fellow travellers of all ages and nationalities.

People who love to meet other travellers and to experience an active but also relaxed holiday.

“My family has found new friends!”, “Great country, great companionship!”

Daily activities: The daily cycling trips (average appr.

45 km) are fit for anyone that knows how to cycle.

The cycling speed will always be ‘easy going’. You are leisurely pedalling from about 09:00 - 16:00 hrs. There’s enough time to take a break and to do some sightseeing along the route. If you’re not in the mood for cycling you are welcome to stay aboard for a day and enjoy the landscape floating by! After all: It’s your holiday!

“This tour was interesting, scenic + a way to use muscles that have been dormant for some time!”

Full board: Each day starts with a large biker’s breakfast.

You prepare your own packed lunch (bread, fruit and drink) at breakfast. After your cycle trip, when you have freshened up, you may enjoy a good 3-courses dinner.

“The food was fantastic and plentiful! I appreciated making and bringing my lunch.”

Bicycles: For all cycling holidays in the Netherlands we supply fine bikes of good quality. They are provided with handbrakes, speed gears and a pannier.

Tour guidance: All Cycling & Sailing Holidays will be accompanied by an enthusiastic and multilingual tour leader. He/she guides you along the fixed itineraries, informs you and will invite you for some interesting city walks.

“Guide was cute, flexible, easy to work with, enthusiastic, good sense of humour.”

Crew: The crew of the ship will ensure that your stay aboard is as pleasant as possible. The captain is responsible for the safe transportation of the passengers and their luggage. The chef and his assistant take care of the preparation of your meals.

“Well organised and extremely friendly staff.”

Tours: In the Netherlands you may choose the Highlights of Holland, or cycle Around the IJssel Lake. An interesting tour (partially) abroad is Holland meets Belgium (Amsterdam - Bruges). In France the Loire Valley and Burgundy are recommendable!

Besides, in 2015 we proudly present our new spectacular French tour Paris & Beyond!

“The week barging and biking has been memorable and will be a highlight of our life!”

See advertisement elsewhere in this issue of Holland Focus!

PRINS WILLEM ALEXANDER VILLAGE Netherlands Retirement Village Association Of Queensland Inc. What are your plans for the future?

Imagine living in an environment that reminds you of “back home”.

Inspired by the traditional “Zaanse” style architecture, the village offers many choices in accommodation and lifestyle, from independent living to the highest of care. There are 74 independent living units, 44 Hostel units, 14 one bedroom apartments and a 64 bed Nursing Home.

Enjoy our friendly and happy environment. Many members of our dedicated staff speak Dutch as well as English, because we realise the importance of the mother tongue.

You may like to visit the village and discuss your options for moving into this ideal village facility. Just ring us first to make an appointment, so we can be available to discuss opportunities for you.

Prins Willem Alexander Village 62 Collingwood Road, Birkdale Tel.: (07) 3822 0800 Email: admin@dutchvillage.com.au

Dutch Cuisine

Hoi fellow kookliefhebbers Firstly I would like to say a big thanks you to Mr Bezuijen for sending me his mum’s kookboek.

This kookboek was given to her by her mum and is a 1936 edition. To date the oldest kookboek I have in my library. I will treasure this gift and spend many hours reading the recipes and even try a few out.

As we are now heading towards summer, Holland is bracing themselves for another winter. Hope this one is not too cold. But with winter also comes Sinterklaas and Kerstmis, something I do miss here in Australia. Although I love the summer and heat, Kerstmis is not the same in 30+ degrees.

Sinterklaas, another fun family affair. I won’t go into the discussions that are currently going in Holland about Sinterklaas and his right hand, Zwarte Piet. Or any off the Dutch names we have for biscuits like Negerzoenen, Jodekoeken etc. All I would like to say is that I am an old-fashion girl and do like traditions.

Let’s get into cooking. And I hope you will enjoy our summer Down Under.

History of speculaas Speculaas originated from the Netherlands and are spiced shortcrust biscuits.

Traditionally baked on or just before St Nicholaas and around Christmas. In recent decades Speculaas has become available year round. Speculaasjes are thin, very crunchy, slightly browned and, most significantly, have an image or figure (often from traditional stories about St. Nicholas) stamped on the front before baking.

Besides the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have their own speculaas versions.

To make speculaas you need a special mix of spices; cinnamon, cloves, mace (Dutch; foelie) and ginger. To personalise your speculaas the following spices are also used; pepper, cardamom, coriander, anise seeds and nutmeg. These spices became available around the 17th century and where imported by the VOC. Mostly speculaas is made using plain flour, brown sugar, butter and spices. Some varieties add almond flour and have flaked almonds embedded in the back. Speculaas dough does not rise much and uses baking powder. To make the dough mix butter, sugar and spices and flour (mixed with the baking powder). The dough is stored in a cool place overnight to give the spices time to permeate.

Historically, the cookies were serve on December 5 and 6 to celebrate St Nicholaas. Thus speculaas was traditionally created in the shape of St. Nicholas in order to honour his life.

Where did the name speculaas originate from?

Some believe it derives from the Latin word, speculum, which means mirror. This refers to the images cut and mirrored into a wooden stamp which is then used to decorate the Speculaas.’ Another explanation refers to a Latin word, speculator, meaning ‘he who sees everything’. Another possible origin is the Dutch word, specerij (spice). In the 17th century there was a thriving business in these new products and bakers invented the koekkruiden mixture. These mixtures where added in the already known and produced biscuits. Mixing extra spices in a dough is called speculation; speculating a dough, seasoning a dough. The literal definition of speculation is therefore: mixed spice with a type of dough. Speculaas is a corruption of the word speculation.

Basic recipe for 65 grams speculaaskruiden also known as koekkruiden 30g kaneel / cinamon 5g anijszaad / anise seed 10g kruidnagel / clove 5g witte peper / white pepper 5g korianderzaad/ coriander seed

How to make Borstplaat (fondant) Borstplaat is a traditional December candy. Purely made from sugar and water/cream. It is one of the sweetest confections and -be careful- very addictive. It is easy to make at home and many flavours can be added.

Traditionally coffee, chocolate and vanilla flavours are used. But please feel free to experiment. Think of lemon or orange zest, nuts etc. To make this sweet, old fashioned borstplaat moulds are used, but you could also pour the borstplaat on a slightly buttered piece of baking paper, let it set till almost hardened and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. I myself prefer to use basterdsuiker, slagroom and a good quality roomboter.

Ingredients: 350g sugar 150ml water or cream 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon flavour (instant coffee, cocoa powder) Preparation Moisten moulds on greased paper.

Bring sugar water/cream to the boil. Keep boiling, stirring constantly until a drop of the liquid forms a thread when dropped from a spoon. This will take 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, add your flavouring and butter.

Keep stirring until the mixture becomes more solid, then pour quickly into the moulds.

Cool on a rack, or turn mould after about 30 minutes.

Remove paper and moulds after 60 minutes. Be careful as borstplaat breaks easily. Keep in a well sealed tin.

Moisture makes borstplaat soft and crumbly.

Lillian 63

Queensland

Nederlandse Radiogroep Brisbane Zondag, 7 september jl was de Nederlandse Radiogroep 4EB FM 98.1 aanwezig op de Dutch Family Fun Day bij de NAQ The Dutch Club.

De strakblauwe hemel, zoals we die veelal in Queensland kennen, liet het deze dag afweten. De weergoden waren ons toch wel gunstig gezind. Het bleef droog en later kwam een schuchter zonnetje toch tussen de wolken te voorschijn. Dit festijn, georganiseerd door de NAQ, sloot goed aan bij de vaderdaggedachte. Veel jonge gezinnen van Nederlandse afkomst bezochten de familiedag alsmede een groep trouwe, oudere gasten uit het Prins Willem Alexander Village en andere Nederlanders met aanhang. De kinderen werden vermaakt met oudhollandse spelletjes, zoals sjoelen, ringen gooien enz. En na al die inspanning was het heerlijk smullen van al die Hollandse lekkernijen. De vrijwilligers in de ‘eettent’ hadden de handen vol aan het bakken van poffertjes, oliebollen, kroketten enz. Hans van der Drift verzorgde de muzikale omlijsting van deze gezellige dag.

Met zijn muziek kreeg hij menig lid van onze groep aan het dansen.

Een veel gestelde vraag is: waarom er zoveel gesproken wordt gedurende de uitzending.

Dit is een regel van de Community Broadcast Foundation. In de richtlijnen van dit orgaan staat dat iedere taalgroep een programma moet brengen in de eigen taal met daarin 50% spreken en 50% muziek. Helaas hebben wij daar, net zo min als andere radiogroepen, geen invloed op.

Wij hebben het vereiste aantal leden behaald om onze zendtijd voor het komende jaar te garanderen.

U kunt dus weer via de radio in Brisbane of live via het internet naar onze programma’s luisteren op dinsdagmiddag van 17:15-18 uur; woensdagmiddag van 15 -15:45 uur; zaterdagmiddag van 16-17 uur en wereldwijd (via digitale radio) van 17 -18 uur en tot slot zondagmorgen van 11-12 uur.

Op de startpagina www.4eb.org.au kunt u live luisteren naar onze programma’s en Global Digital Live. U vindt daar ook “Radio Programs on Demand” waar u de programma’s van de voorgaande week kunt beluisteren.

Informatie over de Nederlandse Radiogroep van 4EB FM 98.1 vindt u op www.4eb.org.au/dutch.

South Australia

nieuws uit Zuid-Australiё

St. NICOLAAS Het St. Nicolaas kinderfeest zal op zondag 30 november gehouden worden. Zoals in andere jaren krijgt u weer de gelenheid om St. Nicolaas een leuk presentje te laten geven aan uw kinderen/kleinkinderen tot 10 jaar oud. Dat kost u als lid $22, niet-leden $28. Het bestuur van de D.S.W.C. zal dan voor een passend presentje zorgen. U moet dat wel voor 17

: admin@naasa.org.au

community-admin@naasa.org.au

november a.s. bestellen. De muziek komt weer voor rekening van Dutch Treat. De deur gaat open om 11 v.m. Iedereen is natuurlijk van harte welkom, ook al heeft u geen presentje besteld. De Zwarte Pieten hebben weer een ruime voorraad pepernoten besteld.

St.NICOLAAS BALL Dit is op zaterdag 6 december. Ook hier zal Dutch Treat voor de muziek zorgen.

Kaartjes slechts $10 voor leden en $12 voor niet-leden. Aanvang 8 uur n.m. tot middernacht. St. Nicolaas en zijn Pieten zullen ook een bezoek brengen. Voor beide evenementen belt u 0430-065-052.

RADDDRAAIERS Hun Carnaval Ball is op 15 november a.s., ook in het gebouw van de D.S.W.C. Hier zorgt John Kampes voor de muziek.

Toegang $8 p.p. Het begint om 8 uur n.m. en wie weet wanneer het eindigt?

Dat ligt aan u. Bel Fred Helmons op 0478-607-049 voor inlichtingen en kaartjes. ALAAF. D.S.W.C. De jaarvergadering is goed verlopen en het bestuur is gedeeltelijk vervangen.

De nieuwe voorzitter is Dhr. M. Mc.Leod. Dhr. Van Nunen is vicevoorzitter. Dhr. E. Korver zal op de centen passen en Mevr. C. Kramer zal de correspondentie beheren.

Johan de Rooy

64

Tasmania

Launch of the Netherlands Australian Chamber of Commerce The launch of NACOC took place on 1 October with the Consul-General, Mr Willem Cosijn and Mr Maarten Schouten, Economic and Trade Affairs, supporting the launch with a visit to Hobart.

The Tasmanian Premier made his office available for the launch and hosted approximately 40 business people providing food and drinks.

The MC was George Huizing, chairman and originator of the Chamber. He welcomed the dignitaries and thanked the Premier for his help in arranging the function. The Hon Jim Wilkinson, MLC, President of the Legislative Council together with the Hon Bryan Green, MHA, leader of the Opposition officially launched the Chamber.

The Consul-General spoke about the business opportunities in the Netherlands and the geographical position of the Netherlands in Europe. The State Director of the Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Alopi Latukefu also attended and congratulated George Huizing for setting up the Chamber.

Finally, the Committee was introduced: the Secretary, Dr F. Von Schmidt, the Treasurer, Mr John Beard and the Public Officer, Mr Kevin Morgan and the Publicity Officer, Mr Geoffrey Wood. photos clockwise from top left: Premier, the Hon Will Hodgman (holding letter), flanked by members of the new chamber; George Huizing and Hon Jim Wilkinson, MLC; Consul-General, Mr Willem Cosijn; George Huizing and Hon Bryan Green, MHA.

65

accommodation in Australia

email: info@rembrandtdutchclub.com OPEN: dinsdag’s van 10 tot 16 uur om te winkelen en een kopje koffie te drinken.

Vrijdag’s vanaf 11 uur tot laat. scrablegroep van 11 tot 16 uur Je kunt er kaarten, biljarten, sjoelen, scrabbelen, holland focus lezen en ook zingen.

Iedereen is van harte welkom.

02-9623 2569

November Wednesday 5, at 6.30pm Dutch Class Sunday 9, Klaverjas competition Saturday 29, Fundraising Garage Sale Goods in a decent condition will be accepted. No TVs please December Wednesday 3, Sinterklaas luncheon Sunday 7, Sinterklaas children’s party Friday 12, Carols @ the Rembrandt Club

Saturday 13, Xmas dinner Wednesday 17, Dutch Class Friday 19, last social day Tuesday 23, Last shopping day 2014 2015 Friday January 2nd First open day Every Tuesday and Friday open as usual January shoppers will receive a free cup of coffee St Marys Dutch Festival Friday 27-Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March 2015

Always book ahead. Call the club on Tuesday between 10am and 4pm and Fridays from 11am till 11pm on 02 9623 2569, talk to Leny, Gerda or Mia. Entry tickets to any events are priced including GST. Any changes to entry fees are entirely up to the committee Voor meer informatie over en foto’s van de gebeurtenissen in de Rembrandt Club ga naar www.rembrandtdutchclub.com

ARALUEN TULIP FESTIVAL IN WA From 23 August until 21 September the Tulip Festival took place in Araluen Botanic Park in the beautiful hills of Perth. This year the festival was organised together with the Consulate of the Netherlands and the Consulate of Turkey. The main focus was on the history of the tulip and the culture of the two countries involved.

On Friday 22 August the event was launched by Tony Simpson MLA (Minister for Local Government; Community Services; seniors and volunteering youth). The Consul for the Netherlands Arnold Stroobach and the Consul for Turkey Cahit Yesertener introduced their countries and told about the importance of the tulip in the history of the Netherlands and Turkey.

In June volunteers planted more than 120,000 bulbs and the tulip display was stunning this year. The colourful flowerbeds featured a canal, minaret and a silhouette of Dutch and Turkish buildings.

The park received a record amount of visitors, who had the opportunity to see clogdancing performances and Turkish dance performances. Each weekend volunteers walked around in Dutch Volendam-costumes and hundreds of photos were taken of them.

During the entire festival The Dutch Butcher had a stall, where visitors could enjoy Dutch kroketten, bitterballen en other typical Dutch treats. Some weekends poffertjes were offered as well, thanks to ‘Perfect Poffertjes’ and ‘Oranje Café’.

The Tulip Festival was an enormous success with more than 50,000 visitors. If you missed it: next year August and September we will be there again!

Joska Stroobach Consulate of the Netherlands, Perth WA (photo left Hon Consul Arnold Stroobach and his wife Joska)

Araluen Botanic Park is Heaven in the Hills – an extraordinary garden in a breathtakingly beautiful setting, located in the Darling Range, just 35km south-east of the Perth CBD. Open daily from 9am – 6pm (except Christmas Day), http://www.araluenbotanicpark.com.au/

66

holland focus ADDRESS PO Box 169, Olinda Vic. 3788 T +61 (0)3 9751 2795 M 0419 465 516 E editor@hollandfocus.com www.hollandfocus.com ABN 40 118 310 900 editor and publisher iet fuijkschot contributors to this issue: D. Arnold, B. Blankers, O. Busman, R. Cavanaugh, Y. Edens, E. Feenstra, F. Hertoghs, R. & Y. Hisgen, C. Lampe, R. Morssink, T. van Rooij, J. de Rooy, J. van der Schoot, L. Schmitt, J. Stroobach, M. Visser van Klaarwater, R. van Voorst, P. & H. Westbeek, K. Woldring, H. van Zanden advertising sales: T +61 (0)3 9751 2795 E advertising@hollandfocus.com subscriptions: T +61 (0)3 9751 2795 E admin@hollandfocus.com DISCLAIMER: Any views and opinions expressed within Holland Focus are solely those of the individual author or other information source and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Holland Focus.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor. © holland focus ISSN 1833-4253 Printed using vegetable based inks on an elemental chlorine free paper.

Sourced using sustainable forestry practices and manufactured using the ISO 14001 environmental management systems.

Holland Focus is printed in Australia by Printgraphics Pty Ltd under ISO 14001 Environmental Certifications.

Amsterdam This interesting 2013 book by Russell Shorto, an American who until recently lived in Amsterdam, deserves publicity. It is a fascinating account of the ‘liberal’ city that is considerably younger than e.g.

Utrecht and Nijmegen, cities already existing in the Roman period; its birth is around 1100. I found the historical aspects alone refreshingly informative.

Initially built around the early Dam of the Amstel, the subsequent concentric canal formation and canal houses, resting on 40 Scandinavian pine poles each, reflect early enterprise in water management. During the Golden Age of the VOC Amsterdam’s growth receives a boost. It becomes a flourishing, rich city. A good part of the book is devoted to an exceptionally enterprising period that developed essentially as a result of the war against Phillip II of Spain.

Connected was the fight for an independent Republic (the Seven United Provinces), the staunch battle against absolutist Catholicism, and the blossoming of a lucrative spice trade with the Indies. Amsterdam emerged as a centre of a tolerant spirit, not just in the Netherlands but also in Europe, and even in what became “The island at center of the world”, Manhatten, New York.

The themes of Shorto concentrate on the two liberalisms “in its DNA” for which Amsterdam was an incubator: economic liberalism (as in private enterprise) and democratic liberalism (basically human rights, the freedom of religion and to be different). The combination merges in a culture of ‘cooperative individualism’, Shorto explains. In Part III he discusses its widespread impacts and on people and in places.

The exile period of John Locke in the Netherlands – and his Social Contract theory - is an example. Another is the hundreds of outposts of the VOC, and the lasting influence of the New Holland period on US society and Constitution. Multatuli’s Max Havelaar is presented as an instance of rebellious protest in Indie. This is the city of Spinoza but also where John and Yoko held their Bed-In for Peace. Other more recent “anything goes” manifestations in Amsterdam are also characterized in that vein, such as the Krakers’ movement and the white bicycles period. A major source for Rusto was Mrs. Frieda Menco, who miraculously survived the Auschwitz hell. Rightly Shorto berates the Dutch for having “the darkest statistics” in Europe in respect of the Jews’ survival rate during the Nazi occupation.

Reviewed by Klaas Woldring, Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, Sydney.

Published by Little Brown

(vol.9 no.6)

ANDRÉ RIEU Love inVenice

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