In his latest book ‘In conversation with the Aa’, writer, poet and visual artist Klaas Koops literally and figuratively talks to the Drentsche Aa. It provides a sometimes uncomfortable reflection on a landscape that is often praised.
If anyone has the right to speak about the Drentsche Aa, it is Klaas Koops (76). He grew up along the stream and was shocked when he recently looked at nature again. What he saw made him think. “I see very big differences with the past. I thought: what on earth is going on here?” says Koops in the Radio Drenthe program Cassata.
He previously collaborated on the art project ‘Beek in Beeld’, an initiative of the Drenthe Painting Society that produced more than six hundred works of art. A number of these also found a place in the book. Although the project was successful, Koops felt that he saw something different than many of his colleagues.
While others were mainly enthusiastic about the picturesque beauty, he looked with the eyes of someone who has known the landscape for three quarters of a century. “It is a fantastic area, but behind that beauty there is also an ugly side. I wanted to put that into words and try to paint it. It is a national park, but when I come to Deurze, I think of the Vondelpark.”
When he reacquainted himself with the area, Koops was shocked by the many bridges and concrete paths. “And 80 percent of that beautiful Drenthe water between Assen and Loon just goes into the Noord-Willemskanaal and then into the city center of Groningen. As people, we have our hands in everything. That is why I use the terms craft nature and water dressage in the book.”
The book is an attempt at conversation. Literally even, because Koops lets himself talk to the stream. “I thought it would be best to address the Aa directly. In the book I speak Dutch and the stream chatters back in Drenthe. After all, it is the Drentsche Aa, that doesn’t seem to be a point of discussion to me.”
Koops lives in Schipborg, on the edge of the stream valley. It’s his favorite place. “That is of course a fantastic area with the Kymmelsberg, the Strubben-Kniphorstbos and the water along it.” But he also sees the decline there. “It was teeming with lizards when I moved there. I saw one last year and two this year.”
“When I walked along the deep twenty years ago, I would hear the curlew, the lapwing, the oystercatcher, the snipe and many more birds. They are all gone. A kind of new nature is actually being created. But when you see what is needed for that, it is a big mess. It is actually just human nature.”
Yet Koops remains hopeful. “The nature is still beautiful, it is not a national park for nothing. But it can become much more beautiful, although there are some challenges ahead. Because that nitrogen mess just continues. Just like those discussions in agriculture. That doesn’t make any progress.”
His message is clear: nature must be given more breathing space. “As humans, we no longer have to tinker in this beautiful area. Let nature take its course again, then the landscape can regain its balance.”