1/5 One of the builders of the Brabantsedag is working on a horse’s mane (photo: Alice van der Plas).
Eric Roeters has never had to build the car for the Brabantsedag theater parade in Heeze during the night. But this year his construction group, Somethingskes Schif, is having a little more difficult time. “Our car has a lot of round shapes and that is quite a challenge,” says Eric, looking at the towering rockets being built on the car. “Usually we are ready on time, but this year it is not easy.”
The construction groups of the Brabantsedag are entering their last week. The coming days are the last stretch for the theater parade that is held every year on the last Sunday of August.
Mark Koenen of the Lambrekvrienden construction group has been building for fifty years. His daughter also diligently helps in the warm tent where a high white wagon is being built. “It’s about the inventor of the plaster cast,” says Mark. “Doctor Antonius Mathijsen. He broke chicken legs to test the bandages. Nobody knows he comes from Budel.”
Mark points to a meter-high portrait of the inventor on the wagon. “One of our builders spent a week working on it. Isn’t it beautiful? It looks just like real plaster”, says Mark proudly. According to him, the construction group has everything under control. This week we are mainly working on the details of the car. So the dots on the i.
“You have to see it especially with all the players around it.”
Science and inventions are central to the 64th Brabantsedag this year. The theme is Eureka! The famous cry of inventor Archimedes, who is said to have run naked across the street after making a discovery. The sixteen building groups are all inspired by an invention and the discoverer.
Last year’s winner has an ambitious project. Circle of friends De Rijten is building the big bang. A car where everything really flies in all directions. From clocks, astronauts, bicycles to Napoleon’s horse. “You have to see it especially with all the players around,” says Natasja Van Montfoort. “It will be a very large Baroque-like whole.” According to Van Montfoort, Georges Lemaitre is the founder of the theory of the big bang. “A very unique story, because he was also a priest.” Natasja and the group want to look good after last year’s win. “But we always feel the pressure to make something beautiful.”
“We’re building a rocket that actually looks like it’s going to take off.”
The tents of the construction groups of Mark, Natasja and Eric are all located next to each other on the De Poortmannen industrial estate in Heeze. The grinders, hammering and sawing drown out the entire industrial area. And this weekend it will be extra busy, because the public can come and take a look in the tents. “Many people like to see it under construction,” says Eric.
He promises the necessary spectacle of his construction group ‘Eetkes Schif’. The construction group was inspired by Karel Jan Bossard, the inventor of the Atlas rocket. That rocket was indispensable for American space travel. “We are building a rocket that actually looks like it will take off,” says Erik. “With engines on the sides with a lot of smoke coming out. I would say come and see it.”
The Brabantsedag theater parade will be held on Sunday 27 August in Heeze. Omroep Brabant will broadcast the Brabantsedag live from 1.30 pm.