Presenter Winfried Baijens was often found in Groningen at the end of last year for the recording of a television program. Andere Tijden will present the first episode of a four-part documentary series The Earth Shakes on January 12. With Groningen in the leading role.
Hello Winfried, do you miss Groningen already?
“I haven’t had time for that yet, because I’m still there quite often. But your real question is of course whether Groningen has grabbed my heart and that is the case. Before I made this program, I visited the city of Groningen quite often. With Noorderslag, for example. Some friends also live there. The big discovery for me was the surrounding area. I stayed for the series in the village of Schouwerzijl, near Winsum. I spent a lot of free time there outside of recording, from festivals such as Grasduinen to concerts in an old church.”
Where goes The earth trembles about?
“In the four-part series we delve into the history of Groningen. The editorial staff of Other times are kings in sifting through archive material. For example, in episode 3 we talk about Veendam, which was once a metropolis. We have beautiful images from that time. The series is also about all attempts that have been made in Groningen to start new projects. It is said that they all flopped. We dare to say that that is not correct. For example, the PTT moved to Groningen, even though the management did not want that. The directors stayed in The Hague and always went back and forth by plane. The move was later reversed, but it is not the case that it has not yielded anything for Groningen. As a result, other companies have established themselves in the area. ”
But the title suggests that it is also about earthquakes?
“It starts with gas extraction and that is where we end. Hopefully this will make it clear to a large audience how extra painful it is that Groningen residents who are struggling with problems due to gas extraction are still not being helped. Other times is a history program, but the last episode of this series is very current. The problem still exists and the sense of community in Groningen has been disrupted as a result.”
Were you aware of the gas extraction problem?
“Yes, because of my work. If there was ever an ounce of doubt about the seriousness of the situation in Groningen, it is now completely gone. I don’t understand how people can be nonchalant about it. Something is happening in Groningen that the people themselves have no control over. Even if a house is arranged for them, it is still difficult that they have to temporarily move to emergency housing.”
Previously you made with Other times a documentary series about the Flood disaster. Is The earth trembles completely different?
“In Zeeland a massive number of deaths occurred in one night and there are relatives who still wanted to talk about it. What is happening in Groningen is not such a sudden blow. But the impact is great in both cases. Visually demonstrating that impact in Groningen is a challenge of the series.”
Who do you hope will watch?
“I hope that it is a form of recognition and acknowledgment for Groningen residents. And I hope that it makes people outside Groningen aware of the seriousness of the matter and that it is still an issue. That they realize that villages change in character. So I actually hope that everyone will watch.”
When will the series be on television?
The earth trembles can be seen on Friday 12, 19, 26 January and 2 February 2024, always at 8:30 PM on NPO 2.