Unsuspecting tourists in Monnickendam are raising their eyebrows these days: where have they ended up now? In the streets of the town you regularly see residents walking around in clothing from 450 years ago. It is celebrated that the Beggars defeated the Spaniards at the Battle of the Zuiderzee at that time. Margit Kniesmeijer helped a group of volunteers and residents to make the historical clothing that was worn at that time.
A day before the Battle of the Zuiderzee, you can already see many residents in historical clothing – NH News
The idea is simple: make sure that all residents wear the clothes that were worn 450 years ago during the party. But that was easier said than done. “I first started collecting people who used to make those clothes,” says Margit Kniesmeijer, who is also smartly dressed. She looked for good examples of clothing: “On the Internet and then I visited museums.”
With the group she collected, she put in a lot of hours in the desire to put everyone in historical clothing, she says. “We started in October. First the ladies of the group dressed themselves and then their relatives. With that we have a fashion show made in January.”
She continues: “That turned out to be a success. From February we first once and then twice a week clothing workshops going to give. People could pick up a pattern, receive advice from us and then they could work at home.”
Everything about the Battle of the Zuiderzee
In the run-up to the celebration of 450 years of the Battle of the Zuiderzee, NH followed the preparations in Monnickendam. We regularly published articles and reports about the many volunteers and what they do to make the event a success. Look at here previous reports and articles.
The volunteers succeeded. The celebration of 450 years of the Battle of the Zuiderzee has been going on since July 6 and during the activities, but also on the street you see many people walking as if it were 450 years ago. Tomorrow the battle itself will be reenacted and it is expected that just about everyone on the ships will be dressed in historical clothing. It makes Margit feel satisfied: “It’s just great fun.”
The Battle of the Zuiderzee in pictures
Media partner Omroep PIM will be available almost all day tomorrow live to report on the event. A compilation of the Battle of the Zuiderzee can be seen on NH TV on Sunday from 5.40 pm. The report will also be available on us Youtube Channel and this site.
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