After four years of waiting, the Midwinter Party is finally being organized in De Rijp again. The tenth edition will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December and preparations are in full swing. An inspirational afternoon was recently organized in Hotel De Rijper Eilanden for everyone who wants to participate in the historic winter spectacle.
“The inspiration afternoon is intended to get everyone’s ears to ‘it’s almost that time again'”, chairman Gerard Kuijn tells media partner Alkmaar Central. Given the atmosphere and all the beautiful outfits, most visitors hardly needed to be stimulated with presentations and fun historical facts.
Tradition
“Yes, fantastic, and village-oriented. Unity and fun!”, says one of the ‘actors’, who is really looking forward to the anniversary edition, which has been postponed every time. She is beautifully dressed as a wealthy lady. But the tradition also lives among the Ripe youth. “I like it a lot, and the dresses are really beautiful too.”
Yet the afternoon was also intended for recruiting. “We are still looking for volunteers, so they can sign up,” continues chairman Kuijn. “We try – that is why so many volunteers are needed – to only load them for a few hours during such a weekend. So they relieve each other every few hours. People want to stand for a few hours, not a whole weekend of course.”
At least the volunteers are looking forward to it again as can be seen in the video below (text continues)
Many villagers already have outfits ranging from luxurious costumes to working-class clothes. For those who are still without, Toneelvereniging Benedictus and the new clothing working group were present. Gerard Kuijn: “We have a clothing working group that arose spontaneously, and there is a lot of enthusiasm for it.” At least once a week, people cut, cut, sew and stitch together in the Rijperhuis.
To give the Midwinter Festival something extra for visitors and young participants, this edition will be a special Children’s Village with all kinds of fun activities for children. More information about the historical spectacle can be found at the website from the party.