The oldest and youngest member of more than thirty Brabant guilds in one photo, a very nice photo too. It is a ‘historic’ photo project of the umbrella organization of the Brabant Riflemen’s Guilds. “We want to go out more and show that young people are also members of a guild.”
“Despite the two corona years, we are still very much alive with 204 guilds in Brabant,” says Annie Maas, of Brabant Archers’ Guilds. “We are still here and to show the outside world that guilds encompass a lot more than just shooting for older men, we started the project: Proud of our Guilds.”
Of about 30 to 35 guilds, the oldest and youngest members have to be captured in one photo, says Maas. But there is more: “There are also young guild brothers who pose. It is experience against youthful enthusiasm and open-mindedness, but beautifully portrayed.”
“Proud of our Guilds also shows that there are still young people who are members of a guild. Of course, but that is almost everywhere, new additions are more than welcome.”
Photographer Ida van Boekel also wants to portray the solidarity and diversity of ‘the guild’. There is, for example, a very nice photo of a group of younger guild members, who feast on a bowl of frikandellen. “The togetherness and the fun just explode.”
The first guild members of the Circle Maasland have already been photographed by Ida. What follows is the rest of Brabant, says Maas. “Practically speaking, we cannot visit all 204 guilds in Brabant. To keep it workable, we asked 30 to 35 guilds from all over the province to participate. A representative cross-section of all guilds, as it is called.”
The first few photos have already been published in their own magazine De Gildetrom, but later this year the end result will also be on display for everyone during two photo exhibitions. “First in the provincial house, then there will also be an exhibition in the Bossche Sint Jan”, says Maas. “And there will also be a magazine and Proud of the Guilds will also come online.”
“Guilds are going to congratulate Sint Jan in Den Bosch on its 800th anniversary.”
“After two silent corona years, we are hitting the drum again, a lot is being organized again,” she continues proudly. “We’re still here.”
On June 26, for example, a delegation of Brabant guilds can be seen in Den Bosch. They will be there to congratulate Saint John on the 800th anniversary. “There will be a Eucharistic celebration and an impressive Guild Salute will be delivered to the basilica outside on the Parade.”
