Jan Eijsermans, singer of Veul Gère, has been appointed Carnival Prince of Tilburg’s Kruikenstad. But what inspires him to trade in the singing microphone for this job? And will we never see him with the popular band again?
With carnival hits such as Stripke Veur and De Gròzzie Van Mèn Buurvrouw, Veul Gère is one of the best-known carnival acts. Eijsermans is full of enthusiasm on stage with the band at various parties.
But when he was asked to be the carnival prince in his own Tilburg, he didn’t hesitate for a moment. “I was brought up with Carnival from an early age. Throughout your life you see all kinds of princes passing by. It is the most beautiful party of all parties. The honor of being asked to do this is so great. I would like to hand in Veul Gère’s microphone for that. “
“I will perform with Veul Gère in January”
Although surrender. On January 12 and 13, the Eijsermans and his band will be in 013. “Immediately when I was asked to be a prince, I said that I would like to have that weekend free to perform there. And I am also involved in other activities of the band. as much as possible. I don’t miss much either. Two thousand people attend those shows in 013. Because of the rehearsals and preparation for those shows, we do few other performances beforehand.”
Who says Eijsermans, says carnival. His grandfather is the one who invented the ‘carnival drink’ Schrobbelèr and Jan is now at the helm of the company as commercial director. Two other company employees have also been asked to be carnival princes this year. “That’s a coincidence. René becomes prince in Waalwijk and Boy has been asked to live in Lierop. I already knew it from them, they had told me that in confidence. But they didn’t know it from me,” he says.
“You must play your role with dignity.”
As a prince, he expects to have to give many speeches and make many visits. “I’m already used to being on stage. But the role of prince is different from that of a singer. You have to perform your role with dignity. In the coming weeks I will learn and experience what that is like.”
If it is really necessary, other singers take over from him at Gère. “The band consists of several singers, who are also consistent in tone and lyrics.” Hiring the band for half an hour costs 3333.33 euros from the eleventh of the eleventh until carnival. During the carnival itself you pay about a thousand euros more.
As a prince you don’t get any money. Isn’t that a financial loss? “I’m not going to miss that money. We didn’t keep it ourselves, but put it in a pot to do fun things with as a band.”
Here you can read more about Jan’s appointment as Carnival Prince