Prince Amadeiro XXVII can normally only be seen during carnival in Oeteldonk, but this weekend he is making an exception. For the 143-year anniversary of the Oeteldonk club he comes to Den Bosch especially. Such a visit outside of carnival time only happens once every eleven years. “We are very happy that we can come back in our Pronkjuweel in such a short term. That is very special,” says Prince Amadeiro Sunday afternoon.
About a year ago the previous prince suddenly stopped. Jean-Philippe Monod de Frideville is his successor. Until his first big performance during carnival, that remained secret. “I thought the really nobody knew and that we could keep it secret until the moment we arrived in our showpiece,” he says.
His agenda is full during carnival. From the arrival on Sunday at 11:11 am at Oeteldonk Centraol to the funeral of Knillis on Tuesday night, parades, rituals and meetings with the Oeteldonkers follow each other at a rapid pace.
Now that he returns a day outside of carnival time, the prince has time to look back on his first year, to look ahead to the next carnival and show who he is as a prince. “The first time in Oeteldonk was fantastic. On the empty train you felt the silence before the storm. When the doors opened and I saw the first tears of the pear, it was indescribable,” he says.
The emotion of the Oeteldonkers and the warm welcome make the carnival for Amadeiro special. “We met so many people and took thousands of photos. That says a lot.”
Traditionally, an Oeteldonk prince must be a people person. Amadeiro also shows that this Sunday. From his arrival at the Parade, where the jubilee is celebrated, he waves to hundreds of Oeteldonkers, he hand out hand cushion, hugs and even gives a box to children. “During the parades and tours through the city, we try to make as much contact as possible and to hear why people enjoy our carnival so much. We will continue to do that, and I hope the Oeteldonkers will also notice that,” he says.
His first year as a prince made it clear to him how important it is to stay full of energy for the people. “My adjutant and I notice that we have an extra battery for Oeteldonk. If the energy level drops for a while, we will switch it on and we will continue,” he explains.
After his short stay in Oeteldonk, Amadeiro returns to his winter palace, the house where he lives outside of carnival and prepares for his role. Here he can list everything and prepare for the bustle of next year. “I hope that everything goes smoothly for the farewell of Knillis, that everyone celebrates carnival as it should, without disturbances, and that we have a smashing party together,” he says.
This is becoming increasingly important, now that Oeteldonk is getting busier every year and attracts more visitors from outside the city. The prince emphasizes that everyone who, just like him, comes from outside Den Bosch to Oeteldonk, must adapt to traditions.
“We expect people to go along with our tradition and look so that we can celebrate carnival as one family. Those who prefer to walk around in a banana suit should better sit on the train,” he says with a smile.
That’s how they celebrate Carnival in Oeteldonk
In Den Bosch, carnival is celebrated differently than in the rest of Brabant. Oeteldonk originated in 1882, when many people found that carnival was too loose and had to be restricted. A group of Bosschenaren came up with a solution: a game around carnival, where it was not just about parties and drinks.
This created the Oeteldonk protocol, with roles such as the Burgvaojer, the assessor, similar to an alderman, and the Geminteraod. Since 1883 there has also been ‘t Hof with the prince, now Amadeiro XXVII, and his entourage. The prince is visible between the Oeteldonkers for three days, participates in parades and official rituals and thus fulfills his role within the age -old carnival game. This way of celebrating carnival is unique in the world.
