The attention, interest and involvement in the Groningen Bommen Berend holiday has been declining for a number of years. The day of August 28 is no longer the same as it used to be, time to breathe new life into the holiday, this time on Saturday August 27, Dagblad van het Noorden reports.
The board of Association of People's Entertainment Groningen takes care of the programming of the party every year and now wants to draw more attention and involvement on the day of the Groningen Relief after declining interest.
Programming
One of the most remarkable ideas for increasing the attention for the traditional holiday is to reopen the Grote Markt. In the morning the horse inspection (instead of at the Ossenmarkt), during the day performances by artists with a Groningen connection and in the evening a concert by the Noord Nederlands Orkest. Furthermore, the Concours Hippique – the equestrian event with various shows and competitions – will again take place on the trotting track in the Stadspark and the festive fireworks will be set off outside the city center.
Fair
When the plans for the Grote Markt are realized, there will be no room that day for the fair that takes place every year around the same time on the Grote Markt. Chairman Harrie van Ham considers this not unimportant, since the lease of the Grote Markt to the fair provides an essential contribution to the Bommen Berend program. “But it should still be possible to hold the fair elsewhere in the city center.” According to the chairman.
This year, August 28 will take place on a Sunday, so the holiday will take place on Saturday, August 27; a day off for many and hopefully a large number of participants of the programmed festivities.
Groningen Relief
1672 Was a disaster year for the then Republic of the Seven United Netherlands; France, England and the dioceses of Munster and Cologne declared war on our country. Bishop Bernhard van Galen had countless bombings fired on Groningen, which resulted in his nickname Bommen Berend. At that time, the national government was distraught, the population irrational and the country seemed hopeless. But under the leadership of Carel Rabenhaupt, the city of Groningen is holding out. The troops of the besiegers break up the siege on the Groningen city on 28 August. The Republic breathes a sigh of relief, because after this the chances turn. “Groningen constant, preserving the land” is the slogan at that time.
Source: volksvermakengroningen.nl
Photo: Facebook People's Entertainment Groningen