Annual Big Dutch Day Out comes to Foxton
Dignitaries, celebrities roll up for launch of Dutch Week
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom in Foxton kicked off a week of celebrations of all things Dutch with their annual Big Dutch Day Out last Saturday. Last year a single day of fun became an entire week and many more towns have taken on this event.
Dignitaries with and without Dutch connections came to Foxton last Saturday, from Mayor Bernie Wanden to Dutch ambassador Mira Wolberg, O¯ taki MP Terisa Ngobi, former MP for New Plymouth Harry Duynhoven and race relations commissioner Meng Foon joined the throngs.
Photographer Ans Westra was a very special guest, as she has some of her work on display in the museum and the exhibition was officially opened on Saturday.
Another Dutch artist was honoured that day: Leon van den Eijkel. A plaque was unveiled near his sculpture that Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom acquired some time ago.
“A new day has dawned upon us, so let’s welcome it and let’s celebrate it with our friends, our fellow citizens of Aotearoa, the people who helped create our town here in Foxton, and our Dutch people,” said Robin Hapi when welcoming the visitors to Foxton.
“It’s great to be here today to celebrate this very important day, the day before commemoration day a very special day for us in Aotearoa, for those who went off and fought in the various wars, our service men and women. It’s appropriate to acknowledge and mention them, even though commemoration day is tomorrow. I also would like to welcome all our dignitaries who are here today,” Hapi said.
Mayor Bernie Wanden said thanks to the Dutch Ambassador for her contribution and her support for Foxton during her term.
“It’s great that we can have these sorts of occasions here in the Horowhenua and enjoy the other people’s cultures. I know that there’s a lot of people out there in orange who come
here every year from around the country.
“We know that Foxton is a fantastic place. Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has changed the perception of what Foxton is and you’ll see no empty shops in the main street anymore.
“There’s a vibrancy and enthusiasm around this town that has never been seen before, and it will only get better,” Wanden said.
One of many highlights of the day at the opening of Ans Westra’s exhibit opening, was Ans autographing her book called Ma¯ori, for Foxton artist Albert McCarthy.
Organisers estimate 2500 people attended the event.
They had organised 450 kites, most which were meant to be launched into the air at some stage, but low wind conditions put a stop to that.
One large kite that was one of a
handful that eventually became airborne, managed to entangle itself in one of the wings of the windmill.
Ambassador Wolberg turned heads by arriving on the scene on a bicycle made of wood.
Dutch games were played, such as stelt lopen, wooden shoe throwing, and zaklopen. The street organ was present to play Dutch folk tunes. Kids got the chance to paint and colour in a kite design.