Maarten van Rossem refuses to watch the king’s annual Christmas speech tomorrow, Christmas Day. He is disgusted by Willem-Alexander’s annual talk. “I’m not looking.”
It’s almost that time again: tomorrow, at 1 p.m., King Willem-Alexander’s annual Christmas speech will be broadcast on NPO 1. Who won’t watch it? Maarten van Rossem. The retiring jury member of De Slimste Mens thinks it is a terrible speech that he avoids at all costs.
Maarten isn’t looking
That speech by Willem-Alexander is completely out of date, says Maarten. He says in the Story: “No. That speech is not necessary for me. I never look at it either.”
It’s just a necessity for that man, he thinks. “A head of state simply has to do that. It’s part of Christmas, just like a Christmas tree. Is that a meaningful thing? No, because a week later it is back on the street.”
Marijke is lyrical
Like Maarten, Marijke Helwegen is also on the Story panel of prominent figures and is enthusiastic about it. “Yes. I always enjoy watching. But the question is whether it changes anything in society. The content of the Christmas speech could be a little less neutral.”
“Our king is allowed to speak out about violence in the Netherlands, for example. In any case, it has to be more than just being nice to each other.”