The more than 250 Ukrainian refugees in Bergen op Zoom will probably be surprised when carnival starts. Jan Kriele, a volunteer at the reception location, is therefore committed to making the Ukrainians feel a little at home in the Krabbegat. “They are terribly excited.”
Since the first Ukrainian refugees arrived in Bergen op Zoom in March 2022, volunteer Jan has been committed to making them feel a little at home.
And that includes carnival, of course. “They are completely unfamiliar with this phenomenon,” he says. “But I’ve seen how they reacted to Sinterklaas and Christmas. They are very open to our culture”, Jan also noticed. He imagined they would be surprised when the festivities start here next week. And he wanted to prepare them for that.
“People are very sympathetic here.”
Last Wednesday he collected some hats, masks and curtains and called everyone together to explain what carnival is and what awaits them in Krabbegat.
Jan himself is a member of a mop band and asked his band members to come and play some songs. “I had warned the band members in advance. Of course, it could just be that these people are not in the mood to party at all,” he warned. “When people get word that family members are not doing well, the mood changes. People are very sympathetic to each other here,” says Jan.
But many were excited. Soon more than seventy curious Ukrainians came to the music. “They also dressed up and in no time they were dancing,” says Jan, relieved.
“The dialect in Krabbegat will still be quite a challenge for most.”
Under the guidance of a mop band, Ukrainians who want to can go to the Grote Markt on Monday. “In the afternoon it’s Childfast Eve. Bergen op Zoom is then bursting with children, hopefully the Ukrainian children and their parents can also relax for a while,” says Jan cheerfully. Plays are performed and afterwards there is the opportunity to join in the mopping.
The language will still be an obstacle, Jan expects. “They all speak Ukrainian perfectly,” he laughs, “but Dutch and certainly the Carnival dialect will still be a challenge. They have to follow the plays with a bit of imagination,” jokes Jan.
“I hope people feel a little at home for the time they’re here.”
He hopes that some will also come to watch the parade on Tuesday. “I think it’s very important that people feel at home here, for the time they have to stay here,” Jan explains. And with that feeling at home, appropriate clothing is part of that during carnival. “Volunteers are busy collecting clothes, hats and curtains.”
Jan expects at least 50 participants on Monday. “I just want them to experience warmth and happiness,” says Jan. “Of course they are very concerned about their family and their country,” he notes. “But people are really looking forward to it, they are very enthusiastic.”