First losing your father, only to see your oliebollen stall go up in flames months later. For Joffrey Bierens from Eindhoven, all superlatives are inferior to the years he has behind him. That is why the fair association is raising money to at least grant him a new stall. “So that his father can watch proudly from above.”
The misery began in October 2022, when 63-year-old oliebollen baker Ad Bierens was killed with several stab wounds in Best. He was a beloved man in the national fairground world. He ran several oliebollen and pastry stalls. Together with his son Joffrey.
After Joffrey lost his father in a horrible way, he faced even more challenges. He was threatened, beaten and searched. To top it all off, his oliebollen stall, which was his father’s last purchase, was set on fire last week. With the memorial to his father still in the stall.
The Wagnerplein in Tilburg was littered with glass, with several jerry cans surrounding the oliebollen truck. Joffrey is devastated. “I feel like I have to pay for my father’s death.”
A tight clique
To ease the pain, the fair community is now trying to do what they can. Not only father Ad, but also Joffrey himself is very popular in the fair circle. “That’s why we put our heads together and we are a crowdfunding started,” says Kelly van Benthem (16). She is the daughter of Joffrey’s wife’s best friend. So a large, close-knit clique.
“He’s a real cuddle bear, he doesn’t argue with anyone,” says Kelly. That’s why she feels extra motivated to help Joffrey find a new stall. “Then his father can proudly enjoy it from above. We don’t have the money for it ourselves, so hopefully people can miss something.”
Kelly emphasizes that there is also a new baby Bierens on the way. The fair association hopes that that little oliebol can quickly become acquainted with his father’s industry. A fresh, new start.
Watch here how Joffrey reacts to the fire and how extensive the damage was.