But how do you maintain those high visitor numbers? Stoel hopes that the organization can remain in the spotlight of the international press. “But the goal is also to reach young people. We give lessons at schools and students also come to us. Actually, it would be nice if Nieuw Amsterdam/Veenoord became the Van Gogh village.”
The extra tourism is important for the church in Zweeloo, because it is a financial source for them. “The collection box is passed around every Sunday, but the income is small,” Mulder adds. “So we are looking for additional ways to support the church. Hopefully we can organize more exhibitions, concerts and other activities.”
“Vincent was not the only artist who went to Zweeloo, Max Liebermann from Germany also came along. We want to spread that more widely, that Zweeloo is really an artists’ village,” says Harmsen. “We are also part of a European organization, all with their own art projects, which have seen that a lot of attention is paid to Van Gogh. We hope to develop this further.”
Back to Vincent’s look-alike. Gienus Woldring has been a guide at the Van Gogh house for years. In recent months he has played the role of the artist in dozens of places. Every week he painted his hair, beard and eyebrows orange and then put on the artist’s clothes. He hopes he can continue to do that. “It’s fun to do, especially because Vincent is an inspiring figure. Because I played him, I also learned a lot about him.”
Woldring likes acting, he thinks Vincent is a beautiful character, but secretly he hopes that other opportunities will come along. And that may be possible, because he is now retired. “I have a little more time on my hands, so who knows.”
Is he recognized as Vincent on the street? “Absolutely,” he laughs. “Children sometimes shout: ‘Look, there is Van Gogh’. I am secretly a bit proud of that.”