Who should get a statue 450 years after the Battle of the Zuiderzee? In the theater show Battle of the Image, a choice must be made from three nominees. The performance premiered today, with a special role for the seven West Frisian mayors. They form the calling panel that must count the votes.
First a brief summary of this important historical event in West Frisian history. It is October 11, 1573, the wind has changed. The chance for the water beggars to strike. They attack the huge Spanish fleet, and the seemingly impossible happens. The Spaniards, led by Count Bossu, are defeated. A turning point in the Eighty Years’ War.
Because it is 450 years ago, the Westfries Museum, which is closed for a major renovation, came up with the idea for a theater show. Ultimately, this was realized in collaboration with theater company Op Roet.
‘More laughter than in a museum’
“It is a beautiful performance,” says museum director Ad Geerdink. He himself has the role of historical sidekick captain of the Knowledge Ship, to interpret the stories where necessary. “I think if you’ve seen this, you’ve learned as much as you would from an exhibition. And undoubtedly there will be more laughter than in a museum,” he says with a big smile.
In the re-enacted TV show, three nominees are nominated and judged by people from the past, but also now. It concerns the Count of Bossu. Indeed: the man who lost the Battle of the Zuiderzee, but joined the Water Beggars after his captivity. Then there is also the unknown farmer Jantien Does from Midwoud. And of course the big star, Horinees Jan Haring.
Jan Haring who cut the flag
During the battle, Jan Haring climbed the flagpole on the Spanish admiral ship and cut off the flag. The Spaniards thought that the Count of Bossu had surrendered and some of the ships fled.
“I didn’t know the story at first, but I read up a lot. I also asked Ad Geerdink a lot, because he knows everything about it. I find it super interesting,” says actor Jeroen Wals, who plays Jan Haring in the show.
Of course, we won’t reveal how the performance ends. But in the coming weeks there are still many performanceswhere you can see the outcome.