A large Playmobil exhibition in the Grote Kerk in Monnickendam starting next Saturday. Building it took maker Rob Kortekaas no less than three weeks. The exhibition gives you a bird’s eye view of a century of Dutch history, with the main theme being the Battle of the Zuiderzee. Appropriate, because this month Monnickendam celebrates the 450th anniversary of the victory of the Beggars against the Spaniards.
It is the fourth time that Playmobil artist Rob has built up the exhibition. Each time the exhibition expands, this time with the representation of the Battle of the Zuiderzee. “It once started as a small project as an emergency measure in corona times. Almost nothing was possible and I was the manager of the ruins of Brederode.”
He continues: “At a certain point we were allowed to open, but not to do guided tours or organize children’s parties. Then my wife and I came up with the idea of having Playmobil tell the story of history, so that people could walk past it and we could could open.”
In the report below, Rob explains, among other things, why he chose Playmobil to tell this story.
Text continues below the video.
Playmobil artist Rob hopes to enthuse children about history – NH News
Rob tries to make the works and depictions of history as accurate as possible. “That’s not easy, you have to make something that realistically resembles the original.” He points to a storming at Brederode Castle: “So this was once a castle, but it is now a ruin. There are no drawings of it. Of course, the foundations have been looked at and how it probably looked. Well, from there you get to work.”
“It can become quite realistic, but of course you work with Playmobil. You cannot just form certain fixed pieces. So you have to look for which parts you use so that it still becomes realistic.”
Everything about the Battle of the Zuiderzee
In the run-up to the celebration of 450 years of the Battle of the Zuiderzee, NH is following the preparations in Monnickendam. We regularly publish articles and reports about the many volunteers and what they do to make the event a success. Look at here previous reports and articles.
Rob spent three weeks in the church setting it up and next Saturday it will be unveiled in the presence of the mayor. He is looking forward to it: “I’ve been involved with history for many years. It’s nice if you can contribute to events like this.”
The exhibition opens next Saturday at 10.30 am in the presence of the mayor. It will remain standing until early October. Click here for the opening hours of the church.
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