Founder Lichtjesavond is considering legal action against the municipality of Enkhuizen

Even now that summer is almost here, it is still high. “I’m now working with a lawyer to find out what people’s role has been. And I don’t want them to use the name of the event or anything like it.” For about 25 years, he and his neighbors, among others, ensured that Lichtjesavond became an atmospheric and busy event. But as the years progressed, he found it increasingly difficult to comply with the wishes and requirements of the municipality.

No commerce

“There were more and more rules and I lack support. Moreover, they want to make it more commercial. That we would work with the catering industry.” With a Christmas market and an ice rink on the Landje van Top, for example. “Then the catering industry walks in, but if someone parks incorrectly, it will be blamed on me. I don’t want that. We had it well done as an association.”

The last straw is when the glass jars in which the candles are placed are thrown away by the municipality. He has to empty the storage space in the Koepoort because of a renovation. Harry Groot decides to organize the event differently. With activities in three churches and electronic mood lighting that would be switched on in the evening over several weeks.”

Mayor rings the bell

Documents that NH received after a request under the Open Government Act (Woo) show that mayor Eduard van Zuijlen sounds the alarm when he is invited to open the event in the church in mid-November. “Would you like to inquire what the intention is? As it is stated here, it seems as if there are only lights in the Westerkerk. Surely that cannot be true?”, he emails an employee in the municipality.

After that it goes fast. Alderman Jan Franx, also a resident of the Zuider Havendijk, approaches neighbor and catering entrepreneur Thomas de Boer to take on the organization. He wants to do that and also tries Harry Groot again to get on board.

“As a local resident, all I wanted was to organize a Lichtjesavond as usual in a safe and responsible manner. I offered Harry to organize all the hassle: pots for the candles, traffic controllers, signage, et cetera. It was allowed to take place under his name I didn’t need the credits for this. Unfortunately, he didn’t feel like it.”

Something that the Lichtjesavond founder Groot experienced very differently. “It was not working together, I was only allowed to sign at the cross.”

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On December 7, Thomas de Boer emails Jan Franx with a draft for the text to residents of the Zuider Havendijk and asks him for his opinion. Mayor Eduard van Zuijlen emails the fire brigade two days later whether the youth fire brigade will also be present again like previous editions.

Food truck not allowed

That same day, Thomas de Boer e-mailed the municipality about his plans. For example, he wants to set up a food truck to sell hot chocolate and mulled wine. And also put a skûtsje (sailing ship) in the harbor to enhance the atmosphere in the area. He also wants to cordon off a smaller area with fences. “Because otherwise it cannot be done in this short term.”

He gets no response, according to an official on December 13. The municipality does not want to deviate from the traffic plan and the request for a food truck is also rejected due to the short time until the event.

After all, it is only four days until Lichtjesavond. The requested event permit was granted the day before. In less than a week. “It is always complicated, but now it can suddenly be arranged quickly,” says Groot. It is clear that the congregation has mixed. I want to know in what way exactly and whether that is punishable.”

De Boer explains that safety was the reason. “Without barriers and traffic controllers, unsafe situations would have arisen with thousands of visitors.” He is disappointed by the commotion that has arisen. “I did it with all the good intentions in the world. I bought a thousand jars, asked employees and friends to help and put in hours of voluntary work myself.”

Multiple call attempts

He indicates that he has tried several times to sit down with Harry Groot, but in vain. “I quickly abandoned expanding the event. I couldn’t be there myself because my father was in hospital with a brain tumour. After everything was ready I went to him. Unfortunately he isn’t much later died.”

All in all, De Boer can look back on a beautiful evening. “I think the tour through the city and the program in the church complemented each other very well. And more importantly: I think the Enkhuizers had a great evening.”

‘I will not talk to the municipality’

The big question is whether it has not all been unnecessarily hoped. And wouldn’t it be wiser for Harry Groot to start a conversation with the municipality. But he is firm about that. “I will no longer talk to this mayor and alderman. I am still chairman and if an attempt is made to hijack the event, then I will no longer just go through one door with those people. Then they should have had the conversation with me sooner .”