Proud residents of Hijken can now show their love for the village with a village flag. The new village symbol was unveiled today in village hall De Dorpshoeve. Alderman Rico Schans of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe received the first copy.
The initiative for the flag comes from Rolf Oosting. “I come from Zuidlaren. When I couldn’t continue the Zuidlaardermarkt corona time, everyone there was called upon to hang the village flag as a sign of solidarity. Then I thought: how beautiful, but we don’t have a village flag in Hijken. So I have a design competition Unsubscribed.”
Positive reactions to the idea were received and a dozen villagers started designing. “We have put together a jury of people who are active in the village, in different sections. They have assessed the designs,” says Oosting. The 425 addresses where the village newspaper falls on the mat receive the flag. It takes a few thousand euros. “Companies and agencies in the village have contributed, and an amount is also coming from the Dorpenoverleg Midden-Drenthe.”
The winning design is by Patrick Koerts. “I tried to design a flag that Hijkenaren would be proud to hang outside,” says Koerts. “To ensure that the Hijken flag really symbolizes our small esdorp, I have chosen to use the sheep as a basis.”
“The flag stands for pride in the village. It’s about solidarity, everyone has the same flag and you can always use it to flag,” says Oosting.