Born in Oosterhesselen, raised in Exloo and went to high school in Emmen. If it is not his origin, his accent will betray him: it is obvious that mayor Mark Boumans from the municipality of Doetinchem is from Drenthe. His origin offers a big advantage, because the lines with the province are short.
“For example, I have known Eric van Oosterhout, the mayor of Emmen, for a long time. We once started together as mayor. He in the municipality of Aa and Hunze and I in Haren.” That relationship now works out well, since Doetinchem van Emmen takes over the baton and this year is organizing King’s Day. Emmen has provided Doetinchem with all kinds of advice.
“I got infinitely tips from Eric. What he mainly urged me was that King’s Day had to stay a party. It is a big live event and then you automatically have to deal with all kinds of safety issues. That should not drown out the party.”
The Drenthe sobriety is still ingrained at Boumans. He can use that well at the King’s Day organization. “Just do it then you do it crazy enough. It is great that the royal family is coming, but it is just people who have to go to the toilet, so that’s how I look at it.”
For months, the municipality of Doetinchem has been working to make the residents warm for the Oranje party. For example, a promotional film can be seen that they have dooded a special logo, just like Emmen. “Doodles are small scribbling drawings. It is very nice that you can continue to use designs for King’s Day. That is what we learn from Emmen.”
In addition to the budget, Boumans does not want to color in terms of budget. “We have three million available for the organization of the event.” In Emmen there had to be an additional 8 tons of euros for the King’s Day organization to get a comprehensive budget. The estimated costs of 1.5 million thus increased to 2.3 million. “We stay within the lines. Three million is three million, it will not cost more,” says Boumans firmly.
The mayor of Doetinchem has to do it himself, after all the advice of Emmen. “Sometimes I think: what did I start? I honestly don’t know. Fortunately the nice feeling dominates, although I will also be quite relieved if it’s Sunday 27 April. That everything went well and has been behind.”
King’s Day is celebrated this year a day before, on April 26. A day later, King Willem-Alexander is really a birthday, but that falls on a Sunday. Doetinchem expects around 30,000 visitors.