Due to the beautiful weather, the May Blissen attracted a large audience on Texel last night. A tradition that, according to the people of Texel, should never be lost. Also this year, the well-known bonfires were lit in various places on the island. There were eight public fires organized by the village committee, often on the outskirts of the villages. In addition, there were about 65 May fires that were lit on private land in the vicinity of houses and farms.
It was initially questionable whether the bonfires this year could continue. Due to the tightening of the nitrogen rules, the Meierblissen also came into question for a while. The municipality commissioned research into nitrogen precipitation from the bonfires, which showed that no significant negative effects were to be expected.
Big fires
Meierblissen are large fires made of waste and prunings. These fires are lit at the beginning of the evening. In a number of the Meierblissen, before igniting the large fire, several smaller fires are first ‘built’ using the wood of the Meierblis. During the month of April, the material will be collected and then built up by young people and adults. People gather around the fire and roast potatoes and other food in the fire.
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The public mainly comes for the fun. Children light small fires with material from the pile and try to blacken each other with soot from the fire.
The Meierblis celebrates the transition from the dark period of winter to summer. A tradition that is always celebrated on the island around King’s Day. Usually on April 30, but because it falls on a Sunday, the Saturday evening of April 29 has been chosen.
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The weather gods were kind to the visitors. Because of the lovely evening sun, many people came to the Meierblissen. “I notice that more and more people are coming,” says Oudeschilder Theo Boom, who enjoys the fire from a distance. “Firstly, because the village is easily accessible. And of course we are very nice,” he says with a wink.
Keep tradition alive
According to Boom, this tradition must be maintained. “But with all the environmental measures, it is becoming increasingly difficult to allow this kind of thing to continue. We are all responsible for that.”
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He means that no rubbish, such as car tires and other harmful material, is thrown on the fire. “The young people stay until late into the night,” says Boom. The youth from Oudeschild is sitting together with the necessary drink to enjoy the fun on this evening. “They come down the street at four o’clock in the morning ‘crippled’ to go home.”
According to Boom, the mess is cleared up the next day. “That is a group of volunteers who have been asked by the village committee to clear the field. Not the burning stuff, but the cans of beer and other rubbish. We do that to allow it to continue again next year. We do that every year.”
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On the grounds of sheep farmer Jan Willen Bakker, between Den Burg and Oudeschild, a ‘Hogebergwolf’ adorns a high stick above the fire. “This idea arose spontaneously this afternoon,” says Bakker. “Everyone can connect a creative story to it. Every year we make a doll for the fire.”
Wolf
This time a wolf. The animal is not wanted by the sheep farmers. “Personally, I think it’s a beautiful animal. A lot of colleagues in the country suffer from it. It wouldn’t be ideal here in the sheep area on the Hoge Berg either. So we’ll just sacrifice this one,” smiles the sheep farmer.
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Members of the Den Burg village committee supervise the fire in Den Burg. Glass may not be taken onto the premises. Rita Dogger stands at the entrance and also confiscates bottles from visitors who want to take them with them. “We have also agreed this with the owner of the site. After the Meierblis, sheep have to walk here again. So there should be no shards of glass,” she says.
The members of the village committee alternate. “Just as long until the last one goes home,” says Dogger. “That is usually around 1:00 am. Then there are still a few people, but the big party is over.”