Now that he is 18 years old, Yoran Reit can finally officially get involved in the famous Easter fire in Wedde. He continues a family tradition.
In Wedde, now that March is starting, preparations for the Easter fire are in full swing. And the ‘fever’ in the Reit family is slowly but surely rising.
Thousands of people, also from far away
Especially with Yoran. He is 18 years old and is now on the board of the Folklore Wedde Foundation (SFW), the organizer of the folk festival, because that is the Easter fire in the village. “You can say that because thousands of people always come to watch, including from far and wide,” says Yoran. “I like that I can help organize it. In recent years I also helped, but now it is officially allowed.”
He doesn’t get that urge to contribute to the success of the party from a stranger. Long ago, Grandpa Jan (72) started the family tradition. He grew up in the neighboring village of Veelerveen, where he attended the Easter bonfire as a child. “There were still fires everywhere back then, the rules were much less strict,” Jan remembers. “Later I came to live in Wedde and at a certain point I was asked to help organize the party here.”
Increasingly strict rules
He joined the board of the SFW. From that moment on, the Easter fire played a major role in his life in the first months of the year. He and his fellow directors put a lot of time into the party. “It also took more and more time because the rules became increasingly strict. But I was happy to do it because the Easter fire is a beautiful tradition that should be preserved.”
His son Arjan, now 44, also grew up with that idea. As a small child, he also saw the flames flare up on Easter Sunday. “Because of my work I had to leave Wedde for a number of years, but when I returned, my father asked me to help and of course I said yes. I have been chairman of the Folklore Foundation for years.”
This year also security guards
Years in which he saw regulations tightened even further. It is becoming increasingly difficult to insure the event. “Yes, those rules are becoming stricter. For example, we have to work with wristbands to prevent young people from getting alcohol in the tent on the site where the fire is burning. Traffic controllers, first aiders, we need to hire them. This year we are also hiring security guards. Organizing has become much more complex. But I like doing it.”
Arjan emphasizes that many people in the village support the tradition. “Entrepreneurs who help us. And the great thing is that we manage to get young new directors. Emiel Houwen, Robert Grozema and yes, also my son Yoran, the youngest of the bunch.”
Of course Yoran cooperates. He is really looking forward to the last day of March when the ancient tradition of the Easter fire will be continued and he will attend as an organizer. He then makes his debut in the capacity where Grandpa Jan experiences his last Easter fire as a director. Jan can just watch and enjoy.