With thirty colorful flags on the corner of Engelendaal and Laan van Berendrecht, a clear message was sent on Saturday 14 May: Art and culture in Leiderdorp must become more visible, multicolored and more dynamic.
By: Corrie van der Laan
Several dozen local cultural providers were gathered here at 12.00 to launch the campaign ‘Leiderdorp show you, Leiderdorp let you hear’. Set up by cultural coach Anne-Pauline van der A with the aim of strengthening the cultural sector in the village.
There are many organizations, clubs and institutions in Leiderdorp that are involved in a wide range of cultural activities. And there is also quite a lot organized in the cultural field – in non-corona times. But there is clearly room for improvement. For example, in mutual coordination and cooperation, in communication with the Leiderdorp population and in contact with the municipality. Van der A was appointed two days a week in September last year to give local art and culture the much-needed boost. The campaign ‘Leiderdorp shows you, Leiderdorp lets you hear’ is a result of this.
Township
The cultural sector must do its own thing, but the municipality must also do its part. This was also the opinion of the new cultural councilor Herman Romeijn (LPL). “We have shown a little too little appreciation of art and culture,” he admitted bluntly during his speech at the launch. Although a new cultural memorandum full of good intentions was adopted early last year and money has been set aside for the cultural coach, Romeijn stated, “on the other hand, barriers are being raised when it comes to grants and permits.”
He could not make concrete commitments, but he assured that he would look at how the municipality can stimulate the positive initiatives that have now been launched. An important step in this regard will be the continuation of the function as cultural coach. Van der A’s appointment was only for one year, and she will retire in September, but opportunities must certainly be sought to appoint a successor to her. And preferably several hours a week, Van der A immediately insisted, because there is more than enough work.
Poem
At the end of the meeting, the poet Frans Terken recited a poem specially made for the occasion, in which villagers are encouraged to marvel at all that there is to see and hear in the cultural area of Leiderdorp, or to step on the podium or platform themselves (the whole poem is at the bottom of this article†
To spread
The thirty flags, all slightly different, were taken by local cultural providers at the end of the day. “The intention is that they are clearly visible outside during rehearsals and performances,” Van der A. explained. “That way, the message spread throughout the village.”
There are more than thirty cultural providers in Leiderdorp, so not everyone has a flag. But that’s not a problem, said Van der A. “We also have a flex flag that can be borrowed on special occasions.”
Reinforced with voice and image
is the art of living here
in this village on the river Does
Crossing the bridges in Zijl
characteristic stop on the long band
along the Oude Rijn to ‘t Joppe and Kaag
how it pulls us like a towpath
different currents in all directions
each has its own cultural branch
who lifts this village and its inhabitants
in what can be seen here and more to hear
Yes Leiderdorp show you! Leiderdorp lets you hear!
mouths we touch
when we speak and sing with gusto
bring life to the scene
think of the Muzenhof in the past
it is now the floor of Sterrentuin and Zijlkwartier
or the choir in the church in the Old Village
see how we flake in many colors
thanks to Geert and the flagmen
that through their hands the flag flies here
to make it a party for everyone
this is how the street square and the park are colorfully decorated
we celebrate how we put the tone together
mobilize viewers and listeners here
Leiderdorp shows you! Leiderdorp lets you hear!
with a diversity of art in the public space
The bull that welcomes you on the Leiderdorp bridge
like further ahead the big boy with his windmill
at Leyhof Lakenvelder and Blaarkop
next to the farmer and his tractor
a milk core filled with imagination
and so much more to see here –
bricked the entrance wall with my own hands
where you go into the Delicious Court
at the Kerk og Oranjewijk roundabout
where a bronze fish lives on wheels
Yes Leiderdorp show you! Leiderdorp lets you hear!
and feel like the fish in the water here
a reunion with related souls
from all kinds of disciplines what we write
and create from heart head and hand
creators’ connection in their diversity
united in their love of culture
come and see it or go up on stage yourself
the platform for choir and music corps
theater group and theater maker dance
from classic to modern experience it
with painters sculptors and photographers
Leiderdorp shows you! Leiderdorp lets you hear!
villagers meet and marvel
what you see what you hear
be amazed at the entertainment and fun
when the drums beat, the trumpets sound
or find it at Art in Circle and Heemtuin
Leiderdorp Museum and Folkeuniversitetet
immerse yourself in the passion that radiates from there
and stay behind Winkelhof as the pregnant woman
in happy anticipation – so she waits every day
full of wonder at what you can hear
and see in our artistic Leiderdorp
Leiderdorp shows you! Leiderdorp lets you hear!
and that we are all here together
piece by piece and shoulder to shoulder
brought us each here
how we feel called by her
which gathers us in this field today
not just anyone who makes it work
with whom it lives in heart and soul
because of what moves you in group or alone
to find and collect
which stimulates this and thus governs the culture
also flagged out here for Anne-Pauline
Leiderdorp lets you hear! Leiderdorp shows you!
© Frans Terken 14.05.2022