It is a tradition that has been celebrated on Texel for centuries: Ouwe Sunderklaas. Despite the reasonable name recognition, the event is still seen as secretive and the outfits of the speulers can also look quite creepy. The reputation of parties on other Wadden Islands does not help. What exactly happens during Ouwe Sunderklaas?
On the twelfth of the twelfth (December 12), the children and adults of the island all take to the streets at the end of the afternoon: they go spuds (Texel dialect for play). During the spuds the islanders, dressed in homemade costumes and other attributes, make fun of each other and current events.
“That can go very far,” writes media partner Texelse Courant,” but there is a golden rule to it spuds: An speuler and someone who speculated should be able to look each other in the eye after a performance and effortlessly have a beer together.”
Ameland in disrepute
You have those alternative Sinterklaas parties on every Wadden Island. On Vlieland it is called Dressing Up, on Terschelling Sunderum and on Schiermonnikoog Klozum is celebrated. Since last week everyone knows that the party on Ameland is called Sunneklaas. That party caused a huge fuss after three journalists from PowNed were attacked while they wanted to make a video about the party. People jumped on their cars and even tried to ram them off the road.
One thing became painfully clear: the Amelanders absolutely do not tolerate prying eyes at their Sunneklaas celebration. Should people who would like to experience Old Sunderklaas also fear for their lives when they visit Texel?
The Texel Ouwe Sunderklaas, also called Oude Sunder in the Texel vernacular, and the Ameland Sunneklaas differ considerably from each other. While at Sunneklaas only men over the age of 18 are allowed on the street, Ouwe Sunder is a party for young and old and all genders. The festival on Ameland is closed and not accessible to outsiders, while the Texel festival is freely accessible to everyone. “With us, things are very different and everyone is welcome,” confirms a spokesperson for the municipality.
The Vastwallers will certainly arrive at Texel on the twelfth of the twelfth. But what kind of day it falls on does matter a lot, according to Frank Spooren. “This year it falls on a weekday, so you know it won’t be very exciting,” said the director of the local tourist office. “People from the other side (the mainland, ed.) don’t take time off for the party.” There are therefore no more hotel nights booked on the island than normal.
Friction
If the party falls on a weekend, this is different. Then many young Texans who live and study on the mainland come back to the island to spend time with friends and family spuds. And the permanent residents also know where to find Texel at those times. Afke, another employee of the VVV, sees that the outsiders who come are busy with something completely different spuds. “Outsiders are welcome to come and have a look, but most come to party and be in the pub. So they are not concerned with what the party is really about.”
Does that cause friction? Not according to Spooren. “It is a bit comparable to what you see at carnival. There are also a lot of people who are curious and want to see what exactly is happening.”
So you shouldn’t expect Ameland scenes on Texel for the time being. The director of the Tourist Office has already given us a glimpse of the themes he expects to be covered. speculated are going to be. “It is always about the issues on the island. Then you can think of decision-making by the municipality. I suspect that we can tell the story around the bridge at Kogerstrand will see you again somewhere. But the speulers don’t let anything go in advance.”
However, special things happen on the island in the weeks leading up to the party. So suddenly it appeared at the end of November a gigantic elephant on, which has been captivating the people of Texel for weeks. Does it have something to do with Old Sunder? It just might be possible.
The program of Ouwe Sunderklaas is here to find. Curious about how Ouwe Sunderklaas is celebrated on Texel? A report will appear later this week on the NH website and TV channel.