Takes some effort, but then you have something. Between September and April, Klaas Uiterwijk (60) put a literally wall-to-wall puzzle of no fewer than 33,600 pieces on the floor of his house in Hollandscheveld. The fine example of monks’ work is still on display until tomorrow. After that, the gig puzzle is taken apart. Klaas: “This is once in a lifetime.”
Klaas is an avid puzzler. He doesn’t turn around for a thousand pieces. In fact, he explains it in an evening and a half. His children therefore surprised him with a real challenge: a jigsaw puzzle of more than 30,000 pieces. A job that took considerably more time: more than half a year. Wednesday evening the last piece fell into place. Has Klaas not gone mad from all that fiddling? “I was crazy before I started, you know,” he laughs.
According to the puzzle fanatic, there are only two types of puzzles in the world that are even bigger (42,000 and 52,000 pieces).
Klaas’ piece of art did require some attention. Everything in the living room had to give way to make room. The puzzle is broken down on Saturday evening, much to the relief of his partner Anneke. Because after the weekend, all furniture can finally go back to their trusted place.