menachem

(Jointly with Valletta, Malta)

The full program is now online and it looks very exciting, with loads happening in Leeuwarden, but throughout the province, all around the theme of "Iepen Mienskip", open community.
Side note: Friesland is an area with its own language, the second official language of the Netherlands and its own, distinct culture.

https://www.friesland.nl/en/european-capital-of-culture

Next weekend I'll be going to the opening manifestation in Leeuwarden, a weekend of amateur youth culture, culminating in a mass sing along with Nynke Laverman's official CH18 song "Home at Six". (Seis Oere Thüs). I am Frisian (now in exile), and even my parents told me to be "home at six" when I went outside to play, as a child. And it is that most Frisian children will have heard their parents tell them.

Here are the lyrics, official video below

Time to rise and shine boy
From your warm bed of the past
Open the curtains fast
Jump up the day is new
Hear the bells call
The future’s calling you
Carrying yesterday on your bike
You’ll struggle against the wind
Dare to find yourself again
Let your shadow wait for you
And whistle
Whistle yourself new

And the bells they are singing
They’re singing to us
Home by six
Home by six
And the bells they are singing
Only to us
Spread your wings my boy
Home by six

Down a crowded memory lane
Old voices tell you what to do
Let the sun shine down on you
Hear the birds you are free
Feel the ground feel the bond
Bound forever bound to you

And the bells they are singing
They’re singing to us
Home by six
Home by six
And the bells they are singing
Only to us
Spread your wings my boy
Home by six

And tell me what you don’t know
And I will follow I will follow
Forget the kin where you fit in
For I know you
Take me with you in your dreams
To where you long to go
Sink your teeth into a new time
Sink your teeth into a new time

You walk on legs of history
The bones of who you used to be
But the colours have all faded
Sink your teeth into a new time
Sink your teeth into a new time
Tell me who you are today
And I will tell you it’s okay

You are in my blood to stay
You are in my blood to stay
Let me know what your dream is
All that you may become
If you leave what’s old and done
If you leave what’s old and done
So you can fly so you can fly so you can fly

PalenQ

Plus Leeuwarden is a really nice regional town - off beaten track for many just going to Amsterdam area but a lovely unique region especially for motorists.

hetismij2

Cultural heathen that I am I shan't be going this weekend, even if it is only a short train ride away. I hate crowds so I shall stay home and watch the opening on Omrop Fryslan.
Maybe we'll go to some of the story telling in Harlingen on Friday evening. Some sound interesting, ad in Dutch not Fries!
I hope the whole year brings lots of visitors up to Friesland who would never normally come up, and that they will explore more of the province than just Leeuwarden.

menachem

Everyone knows that in Harlingen, international port that it has been since late medieval times, they don't speak Frisian, ouwe seun!

And yes, sad to miss the story telling, but I can't get away on friday. I was pleasantly surprised by the programme, which has events all over the province. My mother has difficulty walking, and lives in Sneek, and there are also events there, so it's all pretty accessible. One thing she and I are very much looking forward to is a panorama painting/performance piece in the garden of ex-psychiatric hospital Groot Lankum in Franeker, where my grandfather worked as a psychiatrist. And that - to me - is the success of the entire CCE year: connecting past, present and future, just like in the Nynke Laverman song really. Ameland is going to play a a part too, I believe, which is interesting to me, because I exhibited twice there during Art Month in november.

hetismij2

If I'd known that I'd have had a day trip to Ameland!

ribeirasacra

After a visit to the city in September last year. I recommended the city in response to another poster late last year. Worth a visit no matter if it is not the culture capital or not.

hetismij2

Just back from the story telling evening. It was really enjoyable and I heard several people say it's a pity it's a one off. One story was in Fries!
The church bells will be ringing soon.
Have a good time in Leeuwarden tomorrow Menachem!

menachem

Thanks! Will report back.