There were dozens of people in the sports hall in Schoonebeek and yet you could hear a pin drop for a long time. Not surprising, because it was time for the sand spreading competition. You don’t just make a beautiful sand carpet; this requires the utmost concentration.
When you think of Schoonebeek, you think of oil extraction. Very explainable, because the discovery of oil changed the village considerably from the second half of the forties. But the village is special for another reason. Carpets are still made from dry sand there. This used to be quite normal in Saxon farms on sandy soils in the region. “The farmer’s wife made them on Saturday, on the floor of the living room of the farm. Beautiful in the middle. If someone came to drink coffee with you on Sunday when you came out of the church, the floor would look like its Sunday,” says Roelie Seinen.
The 71-year-old Seinen masters the art. She regularly shows this in museum farm Zwaantje Hans – Stokmanshof, where she also lives. Just in front of it is a statue of The Sand Sprinkler. Zwaantje Hans (1902 – 1977) was the model for this sculpture. For decades she made sand carpets in the farm. The Schoonebeek woman often said that she would find it a great pity if the tradition of sand-strewing would disappear in her village. So far that has not happened, thanks to Roelie Seinen and the local archaeological foundation De Spiker. They ensure that the demonstrations in the farm still continue and that a sand spreading competition is held once a year.
Flowers and ears of corn
It was Zwaantje Hans herself who started organizing competitions for the local school youth in 1972. Because if you want to keep something, it is important that the youngest generation also comes into contact with it in a pleasant way. ,,The first matches were just on the street, in the Liaslaan. Later they moved to the sports hall”, says Seinen. Since the start in 1972, the competitions have continued every year, with the exception of the corona years. And on Tuesday afternoon it was time for the 47th edition.
This time 23 children took part, from the highest groups of primary schools De Oliebron and De Iemenhof in Schoonebeek and primary school Gerardus Majella in Nieuw-Schoonebeek. “The competitions are intended for all schools in the former municipality of Schoonebeek, including those in Zandpol and Weiteveen. But those two schools have not been participating for a long time,” says Henry Eisen, chairman of De Spiker.
It didn’t spoil the fun on Tuesday. In front of friends, teachers and family, the 23 participants started the job at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. They were given an hour to make the most beautiful sand carpet they designed themselves. Should they themselves know what kind of figures they made? No, not that. “The sandcasters of the past remained close to nature, with images of flowers and ears of corn. Today’s sand carpets must also be made in that style,” explains Seinen.
Especially girls
The schools were allowed to send eight students each. That was easy at De Oliebron and De Iemenhof, enthusiasts had to be disappointed there. At the school in Nieuw-Schoonebeek, anyone who wanted to could participate, because the counter stopped at seven. Striking: of the 23 participants, 20 belonged to the female gender. “This is something creative. Maybe this appeals to girls more”, says Eisen. A primary school student in the stands hears the Schoonebeker talking and has her own ideas about it. “Maybe it’s also true that boys prefer to sit behind a computer,” she mutters.
Alinda Steffens (42), teacher of the Gerardus Majella School, is also in the stands. She likes that the tradition is being honored. “Good job by the people who organize this. If they don’t do it, probably no one will.” Melissa Lubbers (36), teacher at De Oliebron: ,,When the students practiced with it at school, I also tried it myself. It’s really not easy, you know.” Susanne Wolters (38), teacher at the Iemenhof: ,,At school we also used modern techniques for the exercises. We watched a video of last year’s sand spreading on the Digibord.”
Sand carpets for just a moment
After half an hour the first participant was ready, Ramon Diepeveen (11) from De Oliebron. He sat in the stands next to his mother and grandmother and waited patiently for others to finish the job. “It was fun to do. You can really make something yourself, with your own imagination,” says Ramon.
In the end, three other participants went home with the cups. Elle Rotmensen (10) won first prize, Dana van de Vrede (10) finished in second place and Carlijn Schepers (11) took bronze. The girls, remarkably enough all students of De Oliebron, were visibly happy with their prizes. Shortly afterwards the sand carpets were gone, because the hall had to be used by others again. Gone are the carpets, but not the tradition. On to the 48th edition, in 2024.