Stroll through the GrainRepublic, eat egg balls in Delfzijl and learn everything about Groningen potatoes and grain. But also to visualize the damage and pain caused by government policy. This autumn, presenter Winfried Baijens will immerse himself in Groningen for a new docuseries from NTR: De Aarde Beft.
People in Schouwerzijl reacted with slight suspicion when it turned out that a camera crew from NTR had arrived. What are they doing here? Do we want this? Is that drone filming in my backyard? What if the village, like Winsum, is flooded with people because of all that attention?
Cycling between the clay and against the stiff wind
Not a crazy reaction at all, says Winfried Baijens (45). This autumn he will spend a large part of his time in the village, instead of his hometown of Rotterdam. He immerses himself completely in the Groningen world, cycles between the lumps of clay and against the stiff wind, and talks a lot with Groningen people.
Why? Baijens is working on a sequel to the successful docuseries about the flood disaster in Zeeland, The Water Is Coming , which aired early this year. This second part, which he with the team of historical program Other times makes is about Groningen. The series continues The Earth Shakes and can be seen from January.
The reason is the slow disaster that is unfolding here: the earthquakes and the way in which the government responded to them. But it is not the only topic, according to Baijens. “We delve into the entire history of Groningen. For example, we visited Oldambt with Frank Westerman, near the old mansions. I also visited Eemshaven for the first time. It’s about the culture, the grain, the potatoes. I don’t think the people of Groningen want it to just be about the earthquakes. But yes, they often come back.”
No saving grace
The national media received a slap on the wrist in the report of the parliamentary inquiry committee. It said that the national media underestimated the problem for too long, causing the country and politicians to fail to realize what was happening. The series is not a direct response to that, says Baijens. “We did come here, but always in a hurry. Drive there quickly, make an item and return to Hilversum. That wasn’t malicious intent, but it was how it worked practically. We discuss that too, but this series is not an attempt to make up for it. We make The Earth Shakes because we after The Water Is Coming noticed that there was a need among the public.”
According to Baijens, Groningen was a logical continuation of the docuseries about Zeeland. “They are both remote corners of the Netherlands, and the distance to The Hague is great. I come from Zeeuws-Vlaanderen myself and in such an area you feel that you are treated like a remote corner that matters less. There is a feeling of: we belong, but not completely.”
“I see more similarities between Groningen and Zeeland,” he continues. “For example, the nature of people is similar. Zeelanders and Groningen residents are direct and open-hearted. You have to make an effort to break the ice and show that you are okay. But I like that because it means there is something to gain. But that is a generalization and of course this does not apply to every Zeelander or Groningen resident.”
Creating a story with nuance and time
Baijens and the team draw the stories for the series from Other times from everywhere. For example, he posted a tweet that he was in the Hogeland and a storm of tips followed. He also had the landlord of his house in Schouwerzijl share his telephone number so that villagers can text and call him with tips. And of course he is in Groningen as much as possible. The editors have also been searching the province a lot in recent months for the best topics.
“We are now really trying to do better, no longer hastily, but with nuance and calmness to create a good story. This makes it very easy for us to come across stories. For example, this morning I was at Elma Middel’s vineyard. She had a riding school and now she makes wine. I got that tip from someone from Schouwerzijl.”
And he is not always working during his time in Groningen. “I also go on a voyage of discovery with friends, cycling for example. I’m going into town soon with a friend who studied here. She would like to take me to some places from that time. But I always look for tips from others. I have already been to Garnwerd aan Zee, Overdaips at Roodehaan, De Gouden Karper in Winsum, Lambik in Groningen and the Forum. And I’ve totally discovered egg balls. I’ve had them before after an evening in Simplon, but I didn’t like them then. I have now finally found places where they are prepared properly.”