After the departure of the VanSlag stage, there will be room for music, art and culture in the Willibrordkerk in Borger. The Bake Shop Foundation is starting Podium34, an initiative that can prove itself in the coming year as a test.
According to board member Evert Hoven, Podium34 is different from VanSlag. The latter culture stage announced earlier this week that it was leaving the Willibrordkerk. “It is too unclear for us where the municipality wants to go with the building. So there is too little prospect for us to be able to continue the church concerts,” said director Henk Eggens.
Podium34 wants to offer space for workshops, clinics, theater and exhibitions. And of course there is room for music, Hoven explains. “Where we differ from VanSlag is that we focus more on the Netherlands, such as Drents and Northern talent. There are no plans to book foreign acts”, the board member wants to clarify. “That’s a completely different approach.” In addition, cooperation is being entered into with the Esdal College, among others, because the culture stage wants to attract young people.
According to Hoven, we need not fear that, as with VanSlag, there will be operational problems. “We are a volunteer organization, and we don’t want to make a profit.” Because the church is in the hands of the municipality of Borger-Odoorn, the foundation rents the church for part of the day. Making money is not a primary goal. “We want to be a place where everyone can go.”
Finally, Hoven emphasizes that it is important that the Willibrord Church is preserved as a cultural stage. “It is a fantastically beautiful place, one of the most beautiful stages in Drenthe”, he dares to say.