It was exciting for a while, but finally there is white smoke: the Etstoel in Anloo will continue again this year. The organization has found enough volunteers just in time for the historic event to take place.
Due to a lack of volunteers, the organization of the Etstoel has been worried for months about the event, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. On the day itself there are enough people who want to help, but it turned out to be difficult to find enthusiasts for the preparations.
In order to find new hands, an appeal has been made to residents of Anloo and surrounding villages to register as volunteers. It was also decided to divide the tasks among volunteers. According to Etstoel chairman Henk Doeven, that ultimately worked, although according to him it was a ‘tough delivery’.
“It remained uncertain for a long time whether we would make it, but luckily we now have a long list of enthusiastic people,” says Doeven. “If everyone puts their shoulders to the wheel, it will undoubtedly be a success again.”
According to Doeven, little will change in the contents of the Etstoel this year, although the exact details are not yet known. “That will now run. There are always groups that skip a year or no longer want to participate, but there is always something nice in return.”
During the Etstoel, local actors reenact a true session of a 17th-century court session in the medieval Magnus Church. A historic market is held in the rest of the village, with old crafts, musicians, street theater and stalls with old-fashioned Drenthe food and drink.
The money raised by the Etstoel is used for the maintenance of the Magnuskerk, the oldest church in Drenthe. The maintenance of the church building and the organ is expensive and the historic event is therefore an important source of income for the preservation of the monument.