“Of course we can’t say anything about that,” said a spokesperson. “We actually really like it when we get photos back from all those flags that flutter worldwide.”
Barbara, who stands behind the desk on behalf of the municipality, sees it with a smile: “At first we thought it was only for Heemskerkers, because we didn’t have that much. But now we were lucky to order more. So if someone lives in Canada or Australia and wants a flag, we think that’s fine. Heemskerk all looks beautiful – that is beautiful – that is beautiful – that is beautiful.”
Stories behind the flag
It is the personal stories that make this distribution campaign so special. A lady gets three flags: one for her brother who can no longer come through a stroke herself, one for her best friend who misses the last time, and one for her daughter – all real Heemskerkers, they are all ‘totally fond of Heemskerk’ she says.
Another resident even leaves with eight flags under the arm. “For the entire street,” she says laughing. “Then we all go out the flag during the party week. Isn’t that fun?”
And an older gentleman takes two copies: one for his son who lives in Beverwijk, but was born in Heemskerk, and one as a welcome gift for the new occupant of his old house. “It comes from Velsen to Heemskerk, so he also becomes Heemskerker. Then of course there is a flag.”
Whether they hang in Heemskerk herself or on the other side of the world, the flags symbolize pride and connection with the village. For some, it is a sign of decades -long involvement – such as the man who has been living in Heemskerk for sixty years – and for others a way to welcome new neighbors. What started as a local gesture is now growing into a global phenomenon.