Fewer players, but tradition of Ouwe Sunderklaas still alive and kicking on Texel

Who has the youth, has the future. This certainly applies to the folk festival Ouwe Sunderklaas on Texel. Because they moved in large numbers through the center of Den Burg at the end of the afternoon. Parents then proudly watch their offspring play short performances for the children’s jury.

The little ones and also the adults depict events of recent years in various acts. Politicians, well-known Texel residents or notorious people on the other side are made fun of. This is called ‘speulen’ on the island.

It is a kind of carnival, but slightly different. Because after playing, the party in the cafes with the adults continues until the wee hours. Where Ouwe Sunderklaas was only celebrated on December 12 in the past, there has been so-called ‘pre-classing’ and ‘after-classing’ for a number of years now. The people of Texel then celebrate for three days. But the spout is only on December 12th.

Pupils from five primary schools merged at the beginning of this year and moved to De Skool on Emmalaan. The schoolyard is not paved and, especially in wet conditions, the children get smeared with mud. This inspired various performances by the children: “Nice play at the Skool, dirty shoes down to the sole, Mum has a mountain of laundry, children stink in class.”

Less enthusiasm

The adults seemed a lot less eager to spit. Erik van Etten and the Texel real estate agent Martin Trap were the first to join the jury, but not dressed up. They have played together for twenty years and usually with a rock-solid act. “No sense anymore”, is Martin’s explanation. “You are doing your act in front of a few spectators. It would have been enough, I think it’s fine.”

His fellow player Erik would have liked to continue for years. “I’ve been alone once more,” he says. “But that is different. Then I played about saying goodbye to Martin Trap. Then I also walked with a kitchen staircase,” he laughs.

The players who did give a performance took the time to put their act in the spotlight. The municipality’s renewed regulations for bed and breakfasts were a much-played topic. Where the people of Texel currently still have a nice extra income, that seems to be a lot less in the future. Even the evangelists Jan and Paula Brouwer had plans to start a bed and breakfast with the name ‘Bed and Bible’ in the old police station on the Keesomlaan where they now live.

One act that was well received was that of the fishermen who had to do something else now that the cutters are being cleaned up. They caught several special fish above water, all of which had their own story.

There were also acts about the Free Republic of Texel, where people from the other side who want to live on Texel prefer to be kept out. And Ans’ ice cream cart, which is still allowed to remain in its location in the woods, also passed the public in various creations.

Jury member Nils Lely was very pleased with the folk festival. “Maybe there weren’t that many players, but the quality was good. I’m glad people are playing again after two years. That’s important for the whole party.” Lely had also noticed that there were no longer any large trucks. “At a certain point there were too many, which made the waiting time for the jury very long. If they still want to go, it might be an idea to put it on the Groeneplaats, where the public can walk in between.” Lely had also missed the folk festival enormously. “I used to play a lot with my kids. But I’m very busy now. So this way I’m nicely involved again.”