1/2 In the middle you see YouTube star Peet Montzingo
Hundreds of redheads gathered this weekend at the Redhead Days in the Spoorpark in Tilburg. The visitors from more than eighty different countries celebrated together that they have red hair. Because this hair color is quite unique: only two percent of the population worldwide has red hair.
It is the oldest, largest and most spectacular redhead festival in the world. Bart Rouwenhorst is the creator of the party. “It’s a day when everyone with red hair comes together. It is special for them to be together with so many. It connects. Couples have even emerged from it.”
A group photo of all attendees is traditionally taken on Sunday. In the middle of the group is the red-haired Peet Montzingo. He is a YouTube star from Los Angeles and is in the Netherlands for a few days, especially for the event. “I wanted to make a video here about the redheads.”
“I thought it was a cool start to the video to be in the middle of the group,” laughs Peet while it just starts to rain. “It’s great hanging out here with other redheads. And the weather here is great. Great those clouds and rain, then we don’t burn so quickly. ”
“At school they called me witch or Pippi Longstocking.”
For many visitors, the festival is not only a pleasant gathering, but it also gives them self-confidence, says Meriyana: “We know from each other what it is like to be the way we are. You don’t feel alone here, but part of a large group.”
Although it was certainly not always easy for Meriyana from Germany. “I always thought red hair was bad. At school they called me witch or Pippi Longstocking. They then shouted that they had to burn me too. And sexual jokes were made. It was a really bad time.”
Lucas is at the festival with his brothers Thomas and Thijmen. They too are regularly called names because of their hair color. “Children in my class sometimes say lighthouse and things like that. But that doesn’t bother me, I let it pass me by.”
“We come from Hilvarenbeek and hardly anyone has red hair there.”
The brothers are there for the first time and react enthusiastically. “I have never seen so many people with red hair. We come from Hilvarenbeek and hardly anyone there has red hair. It is nice that you can see and talk to red-haired people from all over the world here.”
And Meriyana fully agrees with that. “I spent hours in the car, but it’s worth it. I will definitely come back next year! This event boosts my confidence! And that is very nice. Everyone with red hair is unique and should be proud!”
