The association has posted a photo on Facebook with the image. De Geitefok often engages in such New Year’s Eve stunts. For example, the letters Lelystad Airport have already been removed.
The New Year’s Eve association writes on Facebook with the stunt that it wants to draw attention to the heavy corona time that has gripped the Netherlands for almost two years. “We struggled through this crisis with blood, sweat and tears. The water is on the lips of the entrepreneurs and the healthcare staff is working hard,” says Geitefok chairman Jan-Bart Hof. “We hope that 2022 will be a better year for everyone and that we can finally say goodbye to all the annoying measures,” Hof continues.
Performing a New Year’s Eve stunt is an old Frisian tradition. The stunt draws attention to the village or the association. Amsterdam is not unfamiliar territory for the club: De Geitefok managed to steal the Olympic rings from the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam a few years ago. More recently, the meter-high ball was taken from the front yard of the KNVB headquarters. Both stunts were later neatly brought back.
Agreements are made with the donors of the statue, widow Rachel Hazes and entrepreneur Won Yip for a safe return. The statue has been treated well, the club claims. “We regularly gave him a can of beer.”