The Oranjevereniging is on its last legs and the arrival of Sinterklaas has been largely down to one person for years. Club life in Norg therefore needs a boost, says Berend Hoekstra, among others. Together with two other initiators, he came up with the idea for an Association for Popular Entertainment Norg.
Last week, a first information meeting about the new foundation was attended by about fifteen people. “Of course we would have preferred more people, but we already have a large list of names of people who want to do something,” says Hoekstra.
The Association for Popular Entertainment will, among other things, be involved in the organization of King’s Day, Palm Sunday and the arrival of Sinterklaas. Other events – such as the Four Days Marches in August – continue under their own flag. “But if the organization of such an event needs help, they can turn to Volksvermaken,” says Hoekstra. “Nobody has to become part of Volksvermaken, but the possibility must be there.”
Although no one should feel obliged, Hoekstra does not hide his ambition. “The ambition is that everyone in the village becomes a member of Volksvermaken Norg,” he says. “We take a village like Peize (with about 1200 members, ed.) as an example.”
Volksentertainment must play a supporting role in the organization of events. When the foundation comes about, the Orange Association, which is in distress, will either dissolve itself or merge.
In addition, there must be a Foundation Platform Norg, in which the Interest Association Norg will be incorporated. “We then set up several working groups under that foundation, including one for village interests and one for permit applications. We do the same at Volksvermaken. We are already busy filling all working groups.”
Where Volksvermaken has an organizing role, Stichting Platform Norg must have a supporting function. “Think of associations and agencies in the village that could use help,” Hoekstra concludes.