West Frisian fairgrounds. They are a household name in the region and raise eyebrows outside it. Why is the fair still so popular and what is its significance for the village? “It’s too easily dismissed as a booze.”
“Mogguh, ladies. Fresh and fruity?” As co-owner of café ‘t Centrum in De Weere, Brian op ‘t Veld cheerfully welcomes his customers. It is 11 o’clock on Monday morning when mainly the youth from the West Frisian village gather for a joint breakfast. It is the start of the fourth and last day of the fair. Most heads are still hazy from the night before, the voice is getting more brittle every hour. “We are going to squeeze out the last few percent of energy today,” laughs Op ‘t Veld.
A little further on, his father – Richard – is busy. In one hour he bakes 180 eggs. About 150 visitors join us in a village with just under 900 inhabitants. Among them mayor Gerard van den Hengel, together with the college.
nice conversations
A year after his appointment, he now knows the importance of the fair. “The fair is important, it is part of the identity of society. It is a social event, where nice conversations are held and where the truth is told to each other with a wink. When I meet a couple that has been married for sixty years, I hear I often see that they met at the fair. Often in the carousel, which is popular.”
Games and live music are played around the cafe all weekend. A fishing contest, a tinkering race, an 18 min party. Just a few of the activities. A little further on, the whirligig is in full swing, there are bites and a shooting gallery. Entertainment for young and old. “The solidarity, the party with each other, that’s what it’s all about. People from 8 to 88 years old attend the fair,” says Op ‘t Veld. “That’s what makes it so beautiful.”
Van den Hengel is aware of the prejudices that exist about the folk festival. “It is too easily dismissed as a drinking party. Of course there is drinking, and also more than average, but beautiful things also happen that are very valuable for a society. Beautiful parties, games, dances, acts. For everyone. That is beautiful.”
In say Amsterdam, the West Frisian fair – with only a single attraction – is not always understood. “But the people here may also have a different view of Amsterdam.”
first beer
A little further on, a visitor tries his first beer of the day. Flavors doesn’t really do it yet, but: “If the first one is in, then we go for it again.” He praises the social character of four days of celebration in the village. “To the outside world it often looks like drinking stupid beer, but it’s also a great time to catch up with the whole village. Because when will you have everyone together?”
Richard op ‘t Veld has finished baking and the coffee is gone. After breakfast it is time for games. The fair will then close with live music. And after that? “It’s always great fun when the fair is there, but it’s also beautiful when the weather is over,” says Brian op ‘t Veld. “Then I can catch up on some hours of sleep.”