It is a quest to get discouraged. Rita Stuyt (78) from Eindhoven scours all the shops to score a beautiful tablecloth with Brabant fur print for her herring party next Monday, but runs into the same problem time and again. “They look at me like I’m crazy.”
A pleasant evening of herring bites at Rita’s backyard, that’s the idea. “I took the plunge and invited all the neighbors. Very nice, right?”
Sounds promising indeed, but what is a good party without some decoration. With that thought Rita set off. “I could already imagine it: that table full of dishes, on top of such a beautiful red and white checkered tablecloth. That looks nice and fresh.”
“It seems like the tradition is disappearing.”
But after an afternoon of shopping, Rita came home an illusion poorer. “I’ve been to a whole series of shops. From HEMA to Blokker and from Kruidvat to a textile store. But wherever I went, the staff had no idea what I meant. And not just the youngsters, the older employees too. They looked to me like I was crazy.”
And according to Rita that is not possible. “Even when I said it looks like the Brabant flag, it didn’t ring a bell. It seems like the tradition is disappearing. A shame, isn’t it?”
“Even I know what Brabant fur is, while I was not born here at all.”
She thinks it is high time to refresh her knowledge. “Even I know what Brabant fur is, even though I wasn’t born here at all. I’m originally from Purmerend. Although I have to admit that after 55 years in Eindhoven I am also quite astute.”
Nice and nice, but meanwhile the herring party is rapidly approaching, while a suitable piece of tablecloth is still missing. “My last hope is pinned on the wholesalers. Otherwise I don’t know anymore.”
In short: the golden – or rather red and white – tip is more than welcome. Do you happen to have an authentic Brabant tablecloth left? Or is your attic full of other colorful knick-knacks and do you want to help Rita? Let us know and send us an email.